*     NOV  6  1908   *; 


BX  8947  .03  S67  1900 
Springfield,  Ohio.  First 
Presbyterian  Church. 
The  octogenial  book 


From  PJiotograph  by  Miss  Ciimback 


THE 

OCTOGENIAL 

BOOK 


BEING  THE  REPORT  OF 
THE  CELEBRATION  OF  THE 
EIGHTIETH  ANNIVERSARY 
OF  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF 
THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH,   SPRINGFIELD,   O. 


SPRINGFIELD 


Published  by  the 

Voting  People's  Association 


M  C  M 


PRINTED    BY    THE    BARRETT    PUBLISHING    COMPANY, 
SPRINGFIELD,    OHIO 

A  copy  of  this  book,  or  the  Octogenial  Photograph, 
will  be  sent  to  any  address  on  receipt  of  $1.00  for  each 


Leaflet,  No>  t5 

THE  TENTH  ANNIVERSARY 
OF   DR.   HILL'S  PASTORATE, 
FIRST  CHURCH,  SPRINGFIELD, 
OHIO,  22,   MARCH,   1908. 

MOTTO  TEXT  : 

Isa.  54-2.  Enlarge  the  place  ot  thy  tent,  and  let 
them  stretch  forth  the  curtains  of  thy  liabitation  -. 
spare  not:  lengthen  thy  cords,  and  strengthen  thy 
stakes. 

This  morning  your  pastor  feels  that  his 
is  a  great  privilege  and  for  it  he  is  pro- 
foundly grateful  to  God. 

in  these  days  that  are  characterized  by 
continual  and  rapid  changes,  a  pastorate 
that  continues  for  ten  years  is  unusual. 
Only  two  former  pastors  of  this  church 
have  had  this  experience.  The  longestpas- 
torate  wasth;itof  Mr.  Galloway,  seventeen 
years  and  six  months ;  the  next  that  of 
Dr.  Falconer,  ten  years  and  six  months. 
It  is  a  great  honor  to  be  the  successor 
of  the  men  who  have  filled  this  pulpit,  men 
whose  names  are  "writ  large"  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  denomination. 

This  church  has  always  been  regarded 
as  one  of  the  strongest  and  best  of  the 
Synod  of  Ohio.  Its  prosperity  reached 
high  water  mark  during  the  pastorate  of 
Dr.  Falconer,  between  1880  and  1891.  In 
1886  the  membership  was  584.  Ten  years 
ago  it  was  an  even  430,  lower  than  it  had 
had  been  for  the  33  previous  yea'S.  It 
is  now  522,  a  net  gain  of  92.  The  total  re- 
ceived to  the  membership  for  the  last  ten 
years,  on  confession,  is  183  ;  this  gives  an 
average  a  little  greater  than  it  had  been 
during  the  previous  twenty  years. 


The  period  of  the  greatest  proportionate 
growth  was  during  the  pastorates  of  Dr. 
Thomas  Pullerton  and  Dr.  McKnight, 
when  the  annual  average  number  received 
on  examination,  for  twenty  years,  was  a 
little  over  twenty-six. 

It  would  be  a  difficult  task  to  undertake 
to  discover  the  causes  of  this  marked  dif- 
ference. There  is  this  fact  worth  noticing, 
iiowever,  that  the  periods  of  exceptionally 
large  increase,  locally,  are  the  same  as 
those  in  the  entire  denomination,  and  also 
this:  That  a  period  of  unusual  activity 
and  consequent  increase,  occurs  with  but 
slight  variation  once  in  every  ten  years. 

It  would  be  very  interesting  and  very 
helpful,  no  doubt,  to  make  contrasts  and 
comparisons  between  the  early  and  the 
more  recent  history  of  the  church  but  that 
is  not  our  purpose'this  morning  it  is  the 
rather  to  survey  present  conditions  and 
consider  what  betterment  is  possible  in  the 
spirit,  aims  and  methods  of  our  work  in 
the  future. 

Taking  the  judgment  of  those  who  are 
most  capable  of  judging  accurately  in  the 
matter,  their  estimate  is  that  our  church 
today  is  in  better  condition  than  it  has 
been  for  over  twenty  years.  This  is  a 
constant  stimulus  to  thankfulness  to  God. 

There  is  now,  very  manifestly,  a  spirit 
of  unity  and  a  general  disDOsition  to  co- 
operate in  e\'ery  department  of  our  work. 
We  didn't  have  this  ten  years  ago. 

When  this  pastorate  was  begun  it  was 
a  risky  experiment  for  a  church  with  the 
traditions  of  this  one.  The  pastor  was 
called  with  a  very  distinct  recognition  on 
the  part  of  the  officers  of  the  church  that 
he  had  the  reputation  of  doing  things   in 


ways  that  were,  at  times,  unusual, tliat  he 
was  constantly  trying  to  change  things 
that  had  become  ineffectual  and  replacing 
them  with  newer  and  approved  methods 
that  had  demonstrated  their  superiority. 

Before  a  year  was  ended  the  novelty 
began  to  wear  off  and  the  pastor  felt  as 
tho  the  congregation  was  standing  off  at  a 
distance,  somewhat  as  spectators  who  had 
gathered  to  view  the  performances  of  an 
acrobat ! 

About  this  time  the  editor  of  one  of  the 
leading  dailies  of  the  country,  knowing 
the  situation  here,  the  reasons  for  the  call 
and  the  general  wonderment  as  to  the  out- 
come, sent  a  reporter  to  Springfield  to  in- 
vestigate. The  result  of  his  interviews— 
here  and  in  neighboring  cities,  was  a  two 
column  report.  As  it  was  not  localized 
very  few  knew  to  what  church  it  referred. 
It  was  headed  in  "scare  lines,"  ^'^  past  or 
Installed  and  then  Stalled ^ 

Verily  that  did  seem  to  be  a  snap-shot 
of  the  situation  as  it  was  then.  Several 
ministerial  friends  had  given  warning  be- 
fore-hand and  they  were  ungracious  e- 
nough  to  say,  "I  told  you  so,"  but  the  re- 
ply was  :  Just  wait  a  little  ;  things  move 
somewhat  slowly  in  Ohio.     Give  us  time. 

There  was  confidence,  unwaving  con- 
fidence, in  three  things,  ist,  in  the  guidance 
of  God,  2nd,  in  the  good  sturdy  Christian 
common  sense  of  the  people.of  this  church, 
and  3rd,  that  the  spirit  of  aggressive 
Christianity  must  adopt  new  methods  ad- 
justed to  the  newer  and  constantly  chang- 
ing conditions,  and  would  ultimately  win 
its  way  in  this  congregation. 

Your  pastor  did  not  come  to  you  with 
wild  and  impossible  schemes  or   methods. 


or  sensational  doctrines.  Every  tiling  that 
was  brought  forward  had  been  carefully 
tested  in  what  may  be  called  the  experi- 
mental stations  of  the  Church. 

In  fact,  this  church  itself,  without  our 
realizing  it,  became  a  very  important  ex- 
perimental station.  We  find  that  the  re- 
sults of  our  work  for  the  past  ten  years 
have  had  an  influence  for  good  that  is  today 
recognized  pretty  gt-neraily  in  our  own  de- 
nomination. 

A  multitude  of  problems  have  been  be- 
fore this  church  tor  solution.  The  working 
out  of  the  solution  has  beeneagerlv  watch- 
by  many  eyes.  We  do  nut  foolishly 
imagine  that  we  have  found  the  best  so- 
lution, but  our  severest  critics,  themselves 
being  the  judges,  recognize  the  fact  that 
this  church  has  at  least  made  some  helpful 
advances  towards  the  solution.  We  do 
not  say  these  things  in  a  spirit  of  bump- 
tious glorification,  but  in  thankful  recog- 
nition of  what  God  has  enabled  this  church 
to  do  for  the  good  of  the  Church  at  large. 

This  church  has  had  a  share  in  at  least 
two  notable  movements  in  our  denomi- 
nation. One,  the  improvement  of  the  or- 
dinary service  of  worship  in  Presbyterian 
churches  and  the  other  the  organizing  of 
men  for  church  work.  The  cut  come  of 
these  movements  has  been,  The  Book  of 
Common  Worship  and.  The  Presbyterian 
Brotherhood  of  America. 

In  many  minor  matters  the  influence  of 
this  church  has  been  wide,  as  in  methods 
of  advertising,  the  printing  of  a  Parish 
weekly,  and  a  year  book  and  a  seiies  of 
evangelistic  leaflets.  Our  Parish  Record 
and  our  Year  Book  have  both  been  ac- 
cepted as  models  by  a  constantly  increasing 


number  of  churches.  There  are  many  other 
similarthings  which  timeforbids  our  noting. 

It  is  therelor,  very  evident  that  this  pas- 
torate has  been  of  an  unusual  character 
and  it  was  not  at  all  surprising  that,  at 
times,  there  have  been  differences  of 
judgement  and  evidences  of  disappoint- 
ment on  the  part  of  some. 

Of  course,  under  the  unusual  conditions 
and  the  avowed  purpose  to  modify  many 
things,  declared  before  the  call  was  made, 
there  has  been  at  times  misunderstanding 
and  severe  criticism.  But  the  Lord  has 
been  very  good  to  the  pastor  and  kept 
from  his  ears  most  of  these  things  until 
a  long  time  afterwards,— until,  in  fact,  the 
Lord  had  had  his  own  way  in  working  out 
his  own  purposes  in  and  thru  this  church. 

These  ten  years  have  been  a  period  of 
transition.  Transitional  periods  are  trying 
times  to  everybody  concerned.  They  call 
for  quiet  waiting  on  God,  calm  patience  and 
mutual  confidence. 

It  was,  of  course,  expected  that  some 
would  find  it  hard  to  adjust  themselves  to 
changing  conditions,  but  we  may  be  con- 
fident now  that  the  final  out-come,  as  we 
enjoy  it  today,  is  the  justification  of  what 
has  been  done  for  the  improvement  of  our 
ideals  and  methods. 

In  it  all,  we  believe  we  have  rung  true 
always  to  the  doctrines  of  the  cross  and 
the  genius,  spirit  and  standards  of  the 
bluest  shade  of  Simon  Pure  Presbyterian- 
ism. 

Of  course,  owing  to  our  common  human 
frailties,  there  were  blunders,  mistakes, 
and  failures,  which  we  regret,  but  the  wise 
Master,  whose  we  are  and  whom  we  serve, 
has    overruled  these  and  so  neutralized 


them  that  liis  own  gracious  purposes  have 
been  served  and  we  render  to  him  most 
humble  and  grateful  thanks  for  his  great 
grace  and  patience  towards  us. 

And  here,  altho  1  hardly  dare  trust  my- 
self to  do  so,  1  feel  that  1  must  be  personal 
for  a  moment,  and  give  expression  to  my 
gratitude  to  you,  as  a  congregation,  for  the 
constantly  accumulating  expressions  of 
your  appreciation,  indulgent  consideration 
and  love  to  me  and  mine.  The  climax  of 
it  all,  on  last  Thursday  night,  was  not 
merely  an  overwhelming  and  almost  pa- 
ralyzing surprise,  but  a  most  genuine  and 
generous  expression  of  love  that  becomes 
a  memorial  that  will  be  cherished  while 
life  lasts,  yea,  we  believe,  for  ever. 

And  now  what  of  the  future? 

Of  course,  we  shall  continue  in  the 
methods  that  have  become  established  and 
recognized  as  helpful,  but  we  shall  still 
endeavor  to  improve  them.  The  places  on 
which  we  shall  specially  concentrate  our 
endeavors  for  betterment  are  the  The  Sun- 
dry School,  The  Brotherhood,  the  Evening 
Service  and  the  Prayer- Meeting. 

Our  Sunday  School  is  in  most  excellent 
condition,  but  it  rr.ay  be  greatly  increased 
in  its  power  for  good.  Several  things 
looking  to  this  end  are  now  under  consid- 
eration by  the  Advisory  Committee.  For 
instance,  tlie  last  teachers'  meeting  con- 
sidered the  question  of  the  employment  of 
a  trained  Sunday  S:hool  visitor  who  would 
also  be  the  Assistant  Superintendent  in 
charge  of  the  intermediate  department. 
This  is  a  move  that  would  mean  much  for 
us,  its  advantages  are  generally  recogniz- 
ed and  it  is  within  easy  reach. 

The  Brotherhood  is  alert  and  full  of  solid 


enthusiasm,  the  kind  that  actually  does 
things.  This  work  will  grow  and  become 
more  and  more  a  direct  power  for  good  in 
this  church  and  with  increasing  inlluence 
in  others. 

Our  evening  services  have,  for  all  these 
years,  been  perhaps  the  most  notable 
feature  in  our  work,  and  now  that  the  men 
have  taken  hold  of  this  department  with  a 
zeal  according  to  knowledge  gained  by  ex- 
perience, we  must  look  for  still  increasing 
growth. 

But  I  am  convinced  that  sooner  or  later 
this  congregation  must  be  brought  to  face 
with  still  larger  propositions  than  have 
ever  been  considered  before.  These  are, 
in  two  words,  a  new  building  and  an  en- 
downment. 

Next  year  we  will  celebrate  the  90th  an- 
niversary of  the  organization  of  the  church 
and  it  would  be  a  most  appropriate  thing 
to  make  that  the  occasion  of  the  full  in- 
auguration of  plans  that  will  result  in  this 
great  forward  movement.  Both  ideas  are 
really,  in  my  mind,  very  intimately  associ- 
ated. 

A  church  like  this  needs  an  endowment. 
A  very  large  number  of  churches  like  this 
have  an  endowment  of  some  kind  and 
every  church  like  this  can  have  an  endow- 
ment if  it  will  only  go  about  it  in  a  proper 
wav. 

About  one  half  of  the  churches  of  the 
Presbytery  have  endowments  of  some 
kind.  Some  of  these  have  been  accumu- 
lated by  the  gifts  of  the  living  but  the 
greater  part  has  come  from  legacies. 

It  is  significant  that  during  the  past  few 
months,  without  any  suggestion  from  me; 
several  of  theolder  members  of  this  church 


have  referfd  to  this  in  conversation.  Some 
years  ago  a  legacy  was  left,  available 
when  the  church  would  meet  certain  con- 
ditions. Today  this  legacy  would  be  of 
incalculable  good  to  this  church,  but  for 
reasons  whfJi  to  us  seem  very  poor,  the 
conditions  were  not  fulfilled  and  the  church 
lost  some  $5,000. 

Perhaps  this  discouraged  others  who, 
when  making  their  wills,  in  their  love  for 
the  cause  of  Christ  at  large,  made  be- 
quests to  our  Boards  and  other  objects, 
but  left  nothing  to  this  church. 

During  the  past  ten  years  there  have 
been  several  bequ-sts  to  the  Boards,  paid 
from  estates  of  deceased  members,  amount- 
ing to,  at  lea^t,  $S  oco,  possibly  more.  No 
one  can  object  to  this,  but  we  do  feel  that 
if  the  vital  interests  of  this  local  church  jn 
such  matters  had  been  kept  before  those 
who  had  property  to  dispose  of  by  v.ill, 
they  would  have  seen  that  their  own  home 
church  wa-^  most  justly  entitled  to  a  share 
of  it,  as  well  as  the  Missionary  Boards. 

Churches  need  endowments  just  as  truly 
as  Colleges  and  other  similar  institutions. 
To  think  otherwise  is  simplv  out  of  the 
question.  1  he  practice  of  the  Church  uni- 
versal has,  as  a  rule,  been  this.  The  large 
number  of  Churches  that  ha\e  failed  to 
provide  any  endowment  is  no  argument  a- 
gainst  it,  but  rather  a  condemnation  of 
those  who  have  carelessly  neglected  their 
opportunities. 

The  best  form  of  endowment  for  churches 
is  in  rent-producing  real  estate.  I  have 
in  mind  one  church  in  particular  whose 
history  gives  us  a  most  valuable  lesson,  it 
is  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
in  Chicago.     Over  seventy  years  ago  this 


church  secured  a  corner  lot  in  the  center 
of  the  city.  As  the  city  grew,  the  church- 
es that  had  built  near  the  center,  except 
this  one,  abandoned  their  sites  and  built 
new  churches  with  what  they  received 
trom  their  lots.  This  church  has  retained  its 
property  ever  since.  About  i860,  or  before, 
they  built  a  business  block  on  it  with  a 
tine  church  auditorium  and  plentv  of  rooms 
for  all  kinds  of  church  work.  It  is  a  down- 
town church  located  opposite  the  S.  E.  cor- 
ner of  the  Court  House  in  the  very  center 
of  the  business  district.  That  church  has 
been  able,  not  only  to  maintain  its  own 
local  parish  work,  but  it  has  helped  to 
build  or  built  entire,  scores  of  Methodist 
Churches  in  Chicago  bv  the  rents  produc- 
ed by  its  property.  This  sort  of  history 
may  be  repeated  in  Springfield,  if  the  same 
sanctified  common  sense  business  methods 
are  used  in  planing  for  the  future  of  this 
church  and  its  property.  Unless  some- 
thing of  this  kind  is  done  to  provide  ad- 
equate! v  for  the  future  work  of  this  church, 
the  day  will  come  when  the  remaining  con- 
gregation will  have  to  move  out  and  aban- 
don this  strategic  point. 

With  a  new  building  on  this  site  with 
a  modern  auditorium  and  Sunday  School 
rooms  occupying  the  north  end  of  the  lot 
and  a  business  structure  on  the  south,  this 
church  would,  from  the  start  almost,  be 
able  to  provide  from  its  income  a  sinking 
fund  that  would  in  time  pay  for  the  struct- 
ure and  provide  a  most  generous  fund 
for  the  maintenance  of  a  most  efficient 
and  varied  church  work,  conducted  by 
modern  methods. 

The  work  of  endowment  should,  I  verily 
believe,  begin  at  once.     No  matter  if  you 


have  made  your  will  it  will  be  easy  to  add 
to  it.  But  the  establishing  of  an  endow- 
ment need  not  be  limited  to  legacies,  it 
may  be  started  by  gifts.  One  great 
church  in  Philadelphia  started  in  this  work 
with,  I  tliink,  a  gift  of  just  thirteen  cents. 
Those  of  moderate  means,  who  have  noth- 
ing much  to  leave  by  will,  can  provide  for 
something  by  life  insurance,  for  the  bene- 
nt  of  the  church. 

Oh,  there  are  many  ways  of  doing  it. 
It  can  be  done.  It  has  been  done.  It  may 
be  done  by  us.  Ought  we  not,  with  God's 
help  and  faith  in  his  infinite  resources,  de- 
termine that  we  shall  doit?  Let  us,  in 
the  spirit  of  this  verse  from  Isaiah,  con- 
tinue to  plan  great  things  for  God  and 
expect  great  things  from  God:  "Enlarge 
the  place  of  thy  tent  and  let  them  stretch 
forth  the  curtains  of  thv  habitations:  spare 
not:  lengthen  thv  cords,  and  strengthen 
thv  stakes." 

Let  this  matter  ot  the  enlargement  of 
our  work  be  taken  into  consideration  with 
confession,  thanksgiving  and  supplication. 
Confession  of  past  shortcomings  personal 
and  communal;  thanksgiving  for  our  good- 
ly heritage,  and  our  multitudinous  bless- 
ings, and  supplications  that  in  the  calm 
consideration  of  this  matter  we  may  have 
divine  wisdom. 

Don't  pronounce  your  opinion   on  these 

things  until  you  have  given  much  time  to 

prayer  and  careful   thot — and  then   more 

prayer  and  more   thot,   and  then,    in   due 

time,  God  will  show  us  what  we  should  do. 

Jehovah  bless  you  and  keep  you, 

Jehovah  makehis  face  to  shine  upon  /ou: 

Jehovah  lift  up  his  countenance  upon  you 

and  give  you  peace.      Amen  and  Amen! 


FOR  THE  ENDOWMENT 

OF  THE 

FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 


Those  willing  to  do  any  thing  in  this 
direction  wiM  please  mark  with  a  cross  in 
the  margin  the  particular  way  in  which 
they  would  be  willing  to  help.  Cut  off 
this  slip,  on  the  line  and  deposit  in  the 
pastor's  box  in  the  lower  vestibule. 

r.     Pray  for  its   successful   accomplish- 
ment. 

2.  Make  bequest  in  will. 

3.  Insure   life  for    the    benefit  of  the 

endownment. 

4.  Make    a    cash    donation. 


Signed 


Dated 


Note.  The  corporate  name  of  the  church 
is :  The  President  and  Trustees  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Churcli,  in  the  City  of 
Springfield,  Ohio. 


EDITORIAL  NOTE 

The  Octogenial  Celebration  was  suggested  by  the 
pastor  in  a  sermon  on  Sunday  morning,  2,  April,  1899, 
as  an  appropriate  commemoration  of  the  approaching  an- 
niversary of  the  organization  of  the  church.  An  appeal 
was  made  for  subscriptions  to  a  fund  to  refurnish  the 
auditorium  and  make  other  needed  improvements,  and  to 
cancel  the  indebtedness  of  the  church,  requiring  in  all 
about  $6,000.  The  congregation  responded  immediately 
with  such  hearty  good  will,  that  in  the  course  of  a  few 
weeks  the  amount  needed  was  secured  and  subsequently  at 
a  congregational  meeting  the  trustees  were  authorized  to 
proceed  with  the  work.  The  Session  took  up  the  proposed 
celebration  and  appointed  the  committees  named  below  to 
carry  out  the  plan. 

This  book  contains  the  proceedings  of  the  various 
meetings  and  is  arranged  in  the  order  of  the  program.  An 
index  will  be  found  at  the  end.  It  would  have  required  a 
book  four  or  five  times  the  size  of  this  to  record  all  that 
was  said,  the  editorial  committee  has,  therefore,  been  com- 
pelled to  reduce  all  of  the  papers  to  the  smallest  possible 
compass,  consistent  with  fidelity  to  all  essential  details  of 
permanent  value. 
December,  1900. 

W.  H.  Weir.  John  Clark  Hill. 


THE  COMMITTEES 

Executive:  John  S.  Crowell,  Chairman,  M.  L.  Milli- 
gan  from  the  Trustees,  Mr.  C.  C.  Cory  from  the  deacons, 
Dr.  Clarence  H.  Kay  from  the  Congregation,  and  the  pastor. 

Program:  The  Executive  Committee  together  with 
Mesdames  C.  C.  Fried,  J.  W.  Murphy,  Am.  Winger,  W.  C, 
Downey,  Miss  Belle  M.  Brain. 

Printing  and  Publicity:  Messrs.  E.  L.  Barrett,  R.  C. 
Bell,  Oliver  Clark,  S.  W.  Clark,  John  A.  Reid,  Robert  Weis- 
kotten,  Mr.  Fred  N.  Wilson. 

Invitation:  Drs.  T.  F.  Bliss,  C.  R.  Converse,  Messrs. 
J.  H.  Thomas,  H.  H.  Cumback,  David  King,  W.  H.  Weir, 
Mesdames  Octavia  Black,  Catherine  Wertz,  Miss  Lavinia 
Starrett. 

Finance:  Messrs.  L.  B.  Corry,  John  T.  Rice,  George 
H.  Brain,  I.  F.  McNally,  Oliver  Hale  Anderson. 

Reception  and  Entertainment  of  Visitors:  David 
King,  A.  R.  Cobaugh,  John  H.  Mulholland,  Dr.  J.  O.  Davy, 
T.  J.  Pringle,  Am.  Winger;  Mesdames  John  H.  Thomas,  J. 
S.  Crowell,  J.  W.  Murphy,  J.  L.  Conklin,  C.  R.  Converse, 
John  Ingram,  Wm.  H,  Blee,  J.  M.  Book  waiter,  J.  F.  Mc- 
Grew,  J.  T.  Rice,  A.  N.  Summers,  Chas.  Ward,  Miss  Lasley. 

Social:     The  Ladies'  Aid  Society. 

Decoration:  Mesdames  J.  L.  Conklin,  R.  S.  Thomp- 
son, Clara  Hollow  ay,  W.  S.  Thomas,  O.  H.  Anderson,  Chas. 
Feeney,  H.  N.  Siegenthaler;  Misses  Mabel  Thomas,  Mary 
Brain,  Frances  Winger,  Carrie  Muzzy,  Pauline  Bakhaus, 
Lucile  Scott,  Alice  V.  Smith;  Messrs.  W.  M.  McNair,  Clar- 
ence S.  Rice,  Gano  Muzzy. 

Ushers  :     Dr.  Bliss,  F.  P.  Smith,  F.  W.  Warder,  Warren 


5 

Brannon,  Warren   Alexander,  Samuel   Clark,  C.  A.  Win- 
ston, Brown  Burleigh,  H.  H.  McFarland,  Warder  Black. 

The  Young  People's  Association  for  Publishing  the 
octogenial  memorials 

Officers:  Harry  Mitchell,  Chairman,  Clarence  S.  Rice, 
Sec. 

Executive  Com:  Mrs.  C.  R.  Converse,  Chairman  and 
Treasurer,  Mrs.  Clarence  H.  Kay,  the  Misses  Lulu  Cum- 
back,  Carrie  Muzzy,  Ellen  B.  McGrew,  Elpha  Miller, 
Pauline  Bakhaus,  Nellie  Funk,  Mary  Ward,  the  Messrs. 
Elmer  L.  Barrett,  Fred  N.  Wilson,  Harry  C.  Downey,  H.  A. 
Stoner,  Lloyd  Rubsam. 

Editorial:     W.  H.  Weir,  Dr.  Hill. 


THE 
OCTOGENIAL 

Sunday,  Tenth,  September,  i8gg 

The  refurnished  auditorium  was  opened  with  a  sermon 
by  the  pastor  on,  The  Beautiful  Sanctuary. 

Sunday,  Seventeenth,  September 

As  a  prelude  to  the  Octogenial,  a  sermon  was  preached 
in  the  morning  on  the  History  of  Presbyterianism,  in  gen- 
eral, and  in  the  evening,  a  sketch  of  the  Characteristics  and 
Growth  of  American  Presbyterianism. 

Friday  Evenings  Twenty-second,  September 

THE  HISTORY 

By  William  H.  Weir 

As  hamlet  and  village  Springfield  had  almost  reached 
the  years  that  usher  a  man  from  a  minor  to  a  voter  when 
it  was  decided  to  crystalize  the  Presbyterian  sentiment, 
already  here,  into  a  permanent  religious  society  under  the 
care  of  Miami  Presbytery. 

Twenty-one  years  earlier  James  Demint  had  entered  his 
claim.  His  cabin  stood  near  the  site  of  the  Northern 
School  Building. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  name  Springfield 
grew  out  of  a  suggestion  made  by  the  wife  of  Simon  Kenton 
whose  settlement  was  near  the  bridges  on  the  National 
road  west  of  us. 

Demint's  plat  of  Springfield,  recorded,  13,  September, 
1804,  in  Greene  Countjr,  of  which  this  locality  was  then  a 
part,  shows  95  lots  reaching  from  the  creek  on  the  North  to 


8  OLD  SPRINGFIELD 

about  the  line  of  High  street  on  the  South,  and  from  Fisher 
street  on  the  West  to  Spring  street  on  the  East.  Land 
was  set  apart  for  a  public  square  at  the  intersection  of 
Limestone  and  Main  streets.  Main  street  of  that  day  is 
now  Columbia,  and  the  Main  of  today  was  then  called 
South  street.  About  twelve  houses,  all  built  of  logs,  used 
as  dwellings,  repair  shop,  cooper  shop,  general  store,  two 
taverns  and  block  house,  together  with  a  bur3'ing  ground 
with  but  four  graves  in  it,  and  you  have  this  city  in  the 
first  stage  of  its  growth. 

It  is  not  in  line  with  our  present  purpose  to  trace  the 
growth  of  this  village  during  the  years  intervening  till 
Presbyterianism  becomes  a  factor  in  its  history.  Interest 
in  education  and  religion  was  awakened  about  the  same 
time;  the  school  of  Nathaniel  Pinkered  and  the  stated 
visits  and  ministrations  of  Rev.  John  Thompson,  of  Miami 
Methodist  Episcopal  Circuit,  both  dating  from  1806.  Our 
Methodist  friends  have  the  honor  of  first  establishing 
public  worship  under  a  resident  preacher  in  the  person  of 
the  Rev.  Saul  Henkle  in  1809.  Other  denominations 
held  occasional  services  in  the  Foos  tavern  or  in  the  open 
air  when  the  weather  allowed.  In  the  catholic  spirit, 
which  so  commonly  moves  a  pioneer  people,  the  first  house 
of  worship  was  erected  for  the  free  use  of  all  denominations. 

A  deep  interest  in  religion,  in  which  the  "New  Lights" 
led,  during  the  winter  of  1810-11  stirred  the  community  to 
take  steps  to  build  a  house  of  worship.  A  popular  sub- 
scription, in  which  money,  goods,  live  stock  or  labor  were 
acceptable  equivalents,  resulted  in  the  erection  of  a  20x30 
log  church  west  of  Mill  Run  and  south  of  Main  street. 
The  new  drinking  fountain  lately  placed  on  Center  street 
is  a  few  rods  to  the  east  of  the  site  of  that  pioneer  among 
church  edifices.  Even  before  the  Presbyterian  Church  was 
organized    this   log   building  was  used  as  a  school   house 


The  Interior  in  iSyo  and  i8gg 


FIRST  RECORDS  9 

only,  and  in  1825  had  become  a  mere  shelter  for  creatures 
of  the  stall  and  stj^e. 

The  Methodists  were  the  first  to  put  up  a  building  for 
denominational  use.  In  1814  they  built  a  large  frame 
church  on  Northwest  corner  of  North  street  and  Fountain 
avenue.  For  twenty  years  it  served  the  purpose  of  its 
erection  and  was  then  made  over  into  a  dwelling,  which 
from  the  swarming  number  of  its  denizens,  earned  the 
soubriquet  of  "  Bee  Hive." 

Presbyterian  sentiment  in  Springfield  did  not  spring 
up  at  a  bound.  It  began  to  take  form  about  1815,  and 
was  nourished  for  four  years  or  more  by  services  held  in 
school  rooms,  court  rooms,  other  churches  and  wherever 
circumstances  guided.  Early  in  the  year  1819  there  was  a 
desire  for  a  permanent  organization  on  the  part  of  those 
who  were  adherents  of  Presbyterianism  and  steps  were  ac- 
cordingly taken  to  secure  such  an  organization. 

The  first  record  regarding  this  forming  congregation 
is  found  in  the  minutes  of  Miami  Presbytery  for  1815,  Vol. 
I,  page  207,  and  is  as  follows  :  Resolved  "  that  there  be  an 
immediate  meeting  of  this  presbytery  at  Springfield, 
Champaign  Co.,  on  the  4th  Thursday  in  June  to  attend  to 
the  trials  requisite  for  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Archibald 
Steele." 

The  next  is  dated,  22,  June,  1815,  when  the  presbytery 
met,  recording  the  fact  that  Mr.  Steele  preached  and  was 
ordained. 

At  a  meeting  at  Lebanon,  25,  June,  1815,  it  is  recorded 
that  Mr.  John  Cummins,  a  representative  from  Springfield 
congregation  was  present.  On  1,  April,  1817,  it  is  re- 
corded :  "A  verbal  supplication  was  received  from  Spring- 
field, for  one  half  of  Mr.  Archibald  Steele's  time,  accom- 
panied by  a  subscription  amounting  to  $110.50  cents.'' 
On  7,  April,  1818,  a  similar  petition  was  presented    and 


10  {MESSRS.  STEELE,  POAGE,  PUTNAM 

granted.  Up  to  this  time  however,  the  church  was  not  or- 
ganized. 

The  Presbytery  met  here  and  on  Monday,  19th,  July, 
1819,  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Springfield,  was 
duly  constituted  with  twenty-seven  members.  Two  elders 
were  at  once  elected,  ordained  and  installed  and  the  Rev. 
Arehihald  Steele,  who  had  for  some  time  conducted  services 
for  the  nucleus  of  the  church,  was  made  stated  supply,  in 
which  capacity  he  served  till  14,  June,  1823.  It  should  be 
noted  here  that  as  early  as  1817  the  Associate  Presbj^terian 
and  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  churches  had  public 
services  in  Springfield.  The  Associate  Church  had  a  stone 
building  on  North  Limestone,  where  the  offices  of  0.  S. 
R.  R.  are  now  located.  The  Associate  Reformed  Church 
completed  in  1839,  the  structure  on  South  Limestone,  just 
removed  to  make  way  for  the  Kelly  Building.  These  two 
bodies  united  in  1858. 

The  census  in  1820  gave  the  village  a  population  of 
510;  males,  285;  females,  225. 

The  Rev.  Andrew  W.  Poage  followed  the  Rev.  Archi- 
bald Steele  as  S.  S.,  and  gave  his  services  once  a  month 
till  21,  Aug,  1825.  The  minutes  of  the  General  Assembly 
for  this  year  show  thirt3-  as  the  net  membership. 

The  North  st.  A.  M.  E.  church  as  an  organized  body 
dates  from  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Poage.  Their  first 
church  home  was  a  small  frame  building  on  High  street. 
Later  they  acquired  the  stone  church  on  Limestone  street, 
transferred  to  them  by  the  Associate  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  beginning  of  the  year  1827  was  marked  by  two 
noteworthy  events:  By  act  of  Legislature,  Springfield  was 
incorporated  a  Town  on  23,  Jan.,  1827,  and  on  30,  Jan., 
the  Rev.  Franklin  Putnam  was  installed  as  the  first  Pas- 
tor of  this  church.  Jas.  L.  Torbert,  Esq.,  who  combined 
the  functions    of  attorney   and    schoolmaster,  was  elected 


CMR.  FRAZER  11 

first  Ma3'or  of  the  new  Town,  and  it  is  also  said  that  he,  with 
other  members  of  this  church,  organized  the  first  Sunday 
School  in  the  place,  and  held  its  sessions  in  his  school 
room  on  the  N.  E.  corner  of  Market  and  North  streets. 

The  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Putnam  was  terminated 
in  nine  months,  21,  March,  1828,  and  yet  was  fruitful  to  the 
extent  that  seventeen  were  added  to  the  membership.  Re- 
port to  Presbytery  for  this  gives  twenty-nine  as  communi- 
cants. 

The  town  now  has  935  persons  and  in  business  and 
manufacturing  enterprises  has  made  phenomenal  growth 
in  nine  years. 

The  Rev.  William  J.  Frazer  was  Stated  Supply  from 
21,  Dec.  1828,  to  27,  Feb.  1830.  Twenty-five  were  added  to 
the  roll  which  now  numbered  forty-four. 

During  the  first  year  of  Mr.  Frazer's  service  the  first 
church  edifice  was  commenced,  and  was  completed  in  1830. 

In  the  ten  years  or  more  of  the  church's  history,  wor- 
ship was  conducted  in  such  rooms,  public  and  private,  as 
could  be  secured,  and  often  enjoyed  the  hospitality  of  sis- 
ter churches.  The  old  stone  church  of  the  Associate  Pres- 
byterians was  one  of  these. 

Upon  entering  their  own  new  house  of  worship,  the 
church  became  entirely  self-sustaining,  and  hence  ceased 
"boarding."  Springfield  has  now  1080  souls.  As  no  com- 
plete description  of  this  first  church  is,  to  the  writer, 
known  to  exist,  it  is  well  to  compile  from  the  recollections 
of  persons  yet  living  such  facts  relating  to  our  first  church 
home  as  may  be  of  present  and  possibly  of  future  interest. 

The  property  lies  immediately  to  the  west  of  James 
Demint's  plat  of  lots,  and  in  the  language  of  the  deed — 
"North  side  of  South  street,  west  of  and  adjoining  the  east  or 
old  town  of  Springfield."  The  lot,  six  poles  square,  was  sold 
as  part  of  the  estate  of  Henry  Rogers,  deceased,  to  pay  his 


12  FIRST  BUILDING 

just  debts.  John  Heaton,  as  Administrator,  executed  a  deed 
of  sale  to  Pierson  Spinning  in  consideration  of  the  sum  of 
$500.00  by  direction  of  the  court,  as  this  bid  at  public  ven- 
due was  in  excess  of  one  half  the  appraised  value  which 
was  $750.  This  document  was  drawn  by  Ambrose  Blount, 
J.  P.,  and  bears  date  of  19,  Jan.  1828.  Pierson  Spinning 
deeded  the  lot  to  John  Ambler,  28,  April  1829,  for  the  same 
sum  he  paid,  and  had  the  papers  drawn  by  Joseph  Perrin, 
a  Notary,  and  witnessed  by  G.  B.  Spinning.  By  the  next 
transfer,  bearing  date  of  22,  April  1830,  Jno,  Ambler  con- 
veyed the  property  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Society  in 
consideration  of  the  sum  of  $700.  The  names  of  A.  Blount 
and  R.  W.  Hunt  appear  as  witnesses. 

When  it  is  known  that  the  church  built  this  edifice  as 
it  acquired  the  means  to  do  it,  it  will  be  seen  why  so  long 
a  time  as  two  years  was  required  to  complete  it. 

The  building  was  severely  plain,  one  story  high,  four 
plain  walls  of  brick  and  a  somewhat  low  roof,  with  gable, 
and  entrances  to  the  south. 

Two  doors,  one  on  either  side,  admitted  the  worshipper 
immediatel}'  to  the  room;  there  was  no  vestibule.  Four 
rows  of  square  ended  pews,  each  furnished  with  a  door, 
extended  the  full  length  of  the  room  to  the  pulpit.  Th© 
front  pew  on  one  side,  was  square  with  seats  on  three 
sides  of  the  enclosure,  to  accommodate  parishioners 
blessed  with  large  families.  The  rear  pews  were  raised  a 
step  above  the  floor  to  give  some  advantage  of  hearing  and 
seeing  to  those  farthest  off.  Two  large  stoves  for  burning 
wood  furnished  heat  when  needed.  Over  the  entrance  and 
extending  down  the  sides  was  a  gallery,  where,  opposite 
the  pulpit,  sat  the  choir. 

The  pulpit  was  very  high,  approached  by  two  flights 
of  steps;  and,  according  to  one  observer,  must  have  been 
about  seven  feet  above  the  floor  of  the  room. 


MESSRS.  GRAY  AND  GALLOIVAY  13 

The  music  and  choir  of  this  time  seems  to  have  been 
under  the  direction  of  Jas.  S.  Christie  who  led  with  his 
own  voice,  accompanied  on  the  bass  viol.  This  arrange- 
ment seems  to  have  continued  till  about  the  year  1842, 
when  the  services  of  David  Tuttle  were  hired  as  chorister 
and  as  instructor  of  the  youth  and  adults  of  the  church  in 
music.  Col.  Clark  Runyan  then  had  charge  for  a  short 
time  and  was  succeeded  in  the  oflSce,  on  a  salary,  by  his 
son  Alexander  Runyan,  who  remained  in  charge  till  the 
Second  Church  was  formed.  At  times  use  was  made  of 
violincello,  violin,  flute  and  cornet  in  the  conduct  of 
the  service  of  song. 

Contemporaneous  with  the  term  of  service  of  Mr. 
Frazer  was  the  organization  of  the  Methodist  Protestant 
Church  in  January,  1829,  occupying  a  small  brick  structure 
on  North  street.  The  town  in  1829-30  also  built  its  first 
Market  House,  a  wooden  building,  located  on  South  and 
West  streets. 

The  Rev.  Wm.  Gray  supplied  the  pulpit  from  27,  Feb., 
1830,  to  24,  Feb.,  1832,  and  it  was  his  privilege  to  receive 
thirty-six  to  the  communion  of  the  church. 

The  Rev.  Jno,  S.  Galloway  was  called  as  Stated  Sup- 
ply, and  in  October,  1832,  was  formally  called,  ordained 
and  installed  in  the  pastorate.  He  was  the  second  pastor 
and  his  ministry  is  noted  not  only  as  the  longest  continu- 
ous service,  but  also  on  account  of  the  important  con- 
temporary events  which  mark  it.  For  nearly  eighteen 
years  Mr.  Galloway  continued  to  lead  the  forces  of  Pres- 
byterianism  in  the  stern  struggle  against  the  forces  of  evil, 
and  had  to  face  a  determination  on  the  part  of  some  citi- 
zens to  establish  here  a  synagogue  of  Satan.  The  vigor- 
ous assaults  from  the  pulpit,  the  potency  of  the  Word  and 
the  efficiency  of  the  Spirit,  in  the  end  prevailed,  frustrating 


14  MR.  GALLOIVAY 

the  deep  laid  schemes  of  men  who  would  have  Springfield 
immoral  for  private  gain. 

At  times  of  deep  religious  interest,  such  as  marked 
the  years  1838,  1841,  1843,  in  a  most  matter-of-fact  way, 
many  who  "came  to  scoff  remained  to  pray."  When  Mr. 
Galloway  became  pastor,  the  church  reported  seventy-one 
communicants.  When  he  resigned,  the  number  had  more 
than  quadrupled,  302  being  reported. 

Mr.  Galloway  resigned  his  charge  16,  April,  1850,  to 
work  for  the  American  Bible  Society,  in  whose  service  he 
closed  his  life  work  about  twelve  years  later.  The  memor- 
ial tablet  to  the  left  of  the  pulpit  is  a  mark  of  the  high  es- 
teem in  which  he  was  held. 

At  the  beginning  of  Mr.  Galloway's  pastorate  Spring- 
field's population  had  grown  to  1250.  During  this  year 
the  National  Road  was  opened  through  Springfield.  Being 
on  this  great  thoroughfare,  the  town  felt  at  once  the  thrill 
of  enterprise,  grew  in  population,  extended  its  corporate 
bounds,  mended  its  ways,  improved  its  manners,  sleeked 
its  attire  and  speedily  transformed  the  citizen  from  pro- 
vincial to  cosmopolite.  In  the  decade  from  1830  to  1840, 
there  was  a  net  increase  of  more  than  1000  to  the  popula- 
tion. 

Mr.  Galloway's  term  of  service  marks  an  era  of  church 
founding  and  building  in  Springfield.  In  1834  the  M.  E. 
church  left  the  frame  building  on  North  street  and  Fount- 
ain avenue,  and  occupied  a  commodious  brick  structure  on 
the  south-east  corner  of  Fountain  avenue  and  Columbia 
street.  This  came  in  later  years,  to  be  known  as  the  "Old 
Barn,"  and  was  for  almost  thirty  years  the  center  of  Meth- 
odism, sending  out  a  colony  to  form  the  High  Street  M.  E. 
church  in  1849,  and  this  too  was  comfortably  housed  within 
two  years. 

"All  Souls  Parish,"  Protestant  Episcopal,   established 


OTHER  CHURCHES  15 

Dec.  1834,  securing  a  church  site  on  south-west  corner  of 
High  and  Limestone  streets  in  Feb.  1835,  at  once  fitted  up 
a  room  for  temporary''  use,  and  on  28,  Nov.  1844  was  conse- 
crated by  the  Bishop  of  the  diocese.  In  1842  the  corporate 
name  was  changed  to  Christ  Church. 

The  First  Baptist  Church  was  established  29,  Jan. 
1836;  secured  a  site  on  north-east  corner  of  High  and 
Limestone  streets,  4,  March,  1844,  built  and  occupied  a  por- 
tion in  Sept.,  1847,  and  dedicated  the  completed  edifice,  12, 
Feb.,  1852. 

According  to  one  source  of  information  the  First  Eng- 
lish Lutheran  Church  was  organized  in  1841,  but  allowed 
to  lapse.  Two  years  later  Dr.  Ezra  Keller,  while  prospect- 
ing for  a  location  for  a  proposed  Lutheran  College,  came  to 
Springfield.  Pleased  with  the  outlook  he  determined  to 
stay  here,  and  gathered  the  adherents  of  the  Lutheran 
faith  into  an  organization  on,  7,  May,  1843.  A  lot  was  se- 
cured on  north-east  corner  High  and  Factory  streets  in 
March,  1845,  and  building  operations  commenced. 

The  indefatigable  energy  of  Dr.  Keller,  aided  by  the 
work  of  his  own  hands,  secured  cover  and  shelter  by  No- 
vember of  1845,  and  here  the  first  session  of  Wittenberg 
College  was  called.  Church  and  College  continued  to  share 
this  building  till  a  portion  of  the  College  building  could 
be  made  ready. 

Universalist  doctrine  had  hearers  as  early  as  1833.  A 
lot  for  the  erection  of  a  church  was  bought  in  1837,  and  in 
1838  the  building  on  West  Washington  street  was  com- 
pleted. 

The  Congregational  Church  was  organized  a  few 
months  before  the  close  of  Mr.  Galloway's  ministr3\  The 
date  is  28,  Feb.,  1850,  and  confirmed  by  a  Council,  27,  April 
following. 

Early  in  1851  the  present  site  on  Center  street  was  se- 


16  NE^  BUILDING 

cured,  and  a  portion  of  the  building  fitted  for  occupancy 
31,  Oct.  1851.  The  entire  building  was  completed  and 
dedicated  28,  April  1853.  The  significance  of  this  parallel 
of  local  church  history  is  apparent  when  it  is  known  that 
prior  to  the  establishment  of  churches  of  their  own  faith 
and  order,  very  many  of  these  people  had  walked  in  close 
fellowship  with  this  church.  They  went  out  not  to  antag- 
onize, but  to  become  additional  centers  of  influence. 

Notwithstanding  the  withdrawals  to  form  the  nuclei 
of  sister  churches,  the  numbers  attending  services  in  this 
church  made  expansion  in  some  form  necessary.  An  ex- 
tension of  the  church  lot  ninety  feet,  nine  inches  to  the 
north,  and  ninety-nine  feet  to  the  west,  was  bought  of 
Newbold  Crockett,  for  $300.  The  deed  bears  date  of,  11, 
Feb.,  1845. 

In  1848  the  old  one  stor}^  building  was  torn  down  and 
the  erection  of  a  larger  and  two  storied  edifice  commenced. 
The  main  walls  are  still  standing,  and  show  a  solid  struc- 
ture with  no  attempt  at  mere  ornament.  Surmounting  the 
front  gable  was  a  plain  wooden  steeple,  in  which,  in  due 
time,  was  placed  the  bell  which  for  fifty  years  has  rung  out 
the  call  to  prayer;  and  to  those  who  have,  for  years,  obeyed 
its  summons,  there  is  a  sweetness  in  its  call,  awakening 
emotions  akin  to  those  which  swelled  in  the  breast  of  the 
pious  priest  who  after  long  search  for  the  lost  chimes,  in  a 
far  off  land  heard  again  those  Shandon  Bells  as  they  were 
wont  to  sound  by  the  River  Dee. 

A  single  door  admitted  to  a  short  vestibule  out  of 
which  there  were  stairways  to  the  upper  room.  These  stair- 
ways were  in  the  recesses  where  now  the  pastor's  study  and 
library  room  are.  A  small  vestibule  on  the  second  floor  led, 
by  doors,  into  the  main  audience  room,  while  above  the 
vestibule  was  the  gallery,  in  which  the  chorus  choir  was 
stationed,  and  which  was  reached  by  a  flight  of  steps  from 


1^ 


Co 

I 

5 


DEEDED  PEIVS  17 

the  vestibule.  In  the  lower  story  was  the  lecture  room  or 
Sabbath  School  room,  and  to  the  north  of  it  the  pastor's 
study  and  library  on  the  east  side,  and  the  Primary  class 
room  on  the  west.  These  rooms,  now  called  the  east  and 
west  parlors,  were  accessible  from  the  Sabbath  School  room 
by  doors  of  ordinary  width.  A  door  in  the  middle  of  the 
east  side  of  the  lecture  room  gave  admission  from  Fisher 
street  side  of  the  church.  Until  the  Lecture  room  of  the 
new  church  was  made  ready  for  public  services,  this  con- 
gregation had  an  arrangement  with  the  Associate  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  Church  to  occupy  their  house  for  a 
service  about  9  o'clock  a  m.,  after  which  the  other  congre- 
gation would  assemble  at  their  usual  time.  Thus  for  the 
second  time  had  this  church,  when  out  of  a  place  to 
worship,  become  the  guests  of  this  same  people.  In  1850 
the  new  edifice  was  finished  at  a  total  cost  of  $12,000. 

The  new  City  Hall,  which  stood  on  Fountain  Square, 
near  to  the  north-west  corner  of  the  Arcade  Hotel,  was 
completed  in  the  same  j'ear  and  the  city  bought  a  large 
tower  clock  which  was  put  in  position  in  the  steeple  of 
this  church. 

A  curious  custom  in  the  way  of  letting  pews  in  this 
church  is,  we  believe,  not  generally  known  to  the  present 
generation.  The  trustees  sold  the  pews  outright  to  the 
pew-holders  and  gave  deeds  therefore,  securing  to  the  pur- 
chaser, his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  a  title  to  the  same, 
conditioned  only  upon  the  payment,  from  time  to  time, 
of  such  sums  as  might  be  assessed  upon  said  pew  for  the 
support  of  the  public  services.  Samples  of  these  deeds 
may  be  seen  bearing  such  names  as  President  of  Trustees 
as  Jas.  S.  Goode,  Robt.  Rodgers,  M.  D.,  Samuel  Shella- 
barger.  Before  the  retirement  of  Mr.  Galloway,  21,  March, 
1850,  Springfield  was  incorporated  a  city  and  had  a  popu- 
lation of  5,109,  increasing  from  2,094  in  1840. 


18  DR.  BURT 

The  Rev.  N.  C.  Burt,  D.  D.,  then  a  licentiate,  was  called 
to  the  pastorate  and  ordained  in  this  church  in  Sept.,  1850. 
Such  was  the  spirit  of  his  discourses  that  soon  the  enlarged 
audience  room  was  filled,  sittings  could  not  be  had  and 
hence,  by  Mr.  Burt,  the  idea  of  colonizing  was  broached 
and  urged.  Members  of  that  daj'  call  this  period  an  edu- 
cational era.  Plain  didactic  preaching,  with  nothing  unusual 
in  methods  brought  about  a  steady  ingathering,  culminat- 
ing in  1853  in  an  extraordinary  accession  to  our  numbers. 
Mr.  Burt  closed  his  work  here  19,  June,  1855,  to  enter  upon 
a  new  field  in  Baltimore.  In  his  pastorate  of  little  less 
than  five  years,  he  had  received  10.3  persons  by  examination 
and  132  by  letter,  had  baptized  29  adults  and  81  infants, 
with  a  net  register  of  348  members. 

The  first  cabinet  organ,  said  to  have  cost  thirty  dollars, 
was  procured  through  Mr.  Burt's  eflTorts.  For  nearly  ten 
years  it  was  used  at  all  the  public  services  of  the  church, 
being  carried  from  place  to  place  by  sexton  or  chorister. 
Miss  Mary  King  (now  Mrs.  Luther  A.  Gotwald),  and  Miss 
Mary  Christie  (now  Mrs.  Clark  ),  in  turn  were  the  performers 
on  this  instrument.  Under  the  skillful  leadership  of  Mr- 
Aleck  Runyan  a  choir  was  gathered  and  trained.  It 
achieved  a  reputation  for  fine  work  by  no  means  local. 
Upon  leaving  the  choir,  at  her  marriage  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  L.  A. 
Gotwakl,  Miss  King  was  made  the  recipient  of  a  testimo- 
nial, in  recognition  of  her  services,  which  bore  the  following 
names  and  are  deserving  of  a  record  in  these  proceedings: 

A.  D.  Runyan,  Choirister,         Mary  King,  Organist, 
Mrs.  R.  Q.  King,      Isaac  Rodgers,        Jennie  Wiseman, 
LuciNDA  Muzzy,       Richard  Rodgers,  Mrs.  Geo.  Fry, 
Maria  Steele,  Mrs.  Isaac  Ward,  Richard  Muzzy, 

Frances  Rodgers,  Miss  Sturdevant,  Ed  C.  Mason, 
Helen  McBeth,       Sophia  Hunt,  Whitfield   Steele, 

Mr.  Geo.  Fry,  Cynthia  Steele,       Ed.  P.  Christie, 

Oscar  Waite. 


DRS.  FINDLAY,  SCOVEL,  FULLERTON  19 

The  Rev.  Wm.  T.  Findlay,  D.  D.,  became  pastor  in  Jan. 
1856.  Under  the  ministrations  of  this  man  of  God,  the  same 
religious  interest  continued  through  his  pastorate,  bringing 
a  steady  increase  to  the  membership.  Considering  its 
short  duration  this  was  a  most  fruitful  pastorate.  The 
pulpit  was  declared  vacant  20,  June,  1859. 

In  looking  for  a  pastor  two  men  specially  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  congregation  and  the  sentiment  was 
about  evenly  divided.  In  view  of  this  it  was  deemed  wise 
to  take  up  the  question  of  forming  another  Presbyterian 
church  before  another  pastor  should  be  selected.  Seeking 
the  guidance  of  God's  Spirit  and  with  mature  deliberation 
the  step  was  decided  upon  and  the  Second  Church  was 
organized  on  4,  Dec,  1860,  carrying  the  good  will  and 
prayers  of  those  who  remained,  and  without  a  bitter  feel- 
ing on  either  side. 

The  Rev.  Sylvester  F,  Scovel,  D.  D,,  was  called  by  the 
First  Church  on  3,  Dec.  1860,  and  installed  7,  Feb.,  1861. 
Though  the  land  was  troubled  with  civil  war,  and  even  the 
churches  were  rent  by  partisan  strife,  yet  the  Gospel  con- 
tinued to  gather  its  trophies,  and  enlistments  under  the 
Banner  of  the  Cross  were  made  at  each  sacramental  season. 
He  resigned  to  go  to  Pittsburg  early  in  1866. 

Dr.  Scovel' s  term  is  marked  by  the  purchase  of  a  larger 
organ  for  use  in  the  church  services  and  the  employment  of 
Professor  Barrett  as  organist.  The  choir  was  then  for  a 
time  under  the  direction  of  Prof.  L.  R.  Tuttle,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Geo.  W.  Bemis.  At  this  time  Prof.  A.  Y.  Sykes 
entered  upon  his  long  and  useful  service  as  accompanist. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Fullerton,  D.  D.,  was  called  in  Oct., 
1866.  A  man  beloved  for  the  gentle  spirit  in  him  and 
looked  up  to  because  of  intellectual  gifts,  his  rather  brief 
term  of  service  was  fruitful  in  the  ingathering  of  many. 

Twenty  years  having  elapsed  since  the  second   house 


20  DRS.  CAIN  AND  McKNIGHT 

was  built  it  was  decided  to  make  some  alterations  in  the 
church  both  within  and  without.  The  front  vestibule 
stairs,  and  tower  were  erected,  the  main  roof  raised  to  a 
higher  pitch,  an  annex  at  the  rear  affording  space  for  stair- 
way, kitchen  and  dining  room;  and  upstairs  a  loft  for  the 
first  pipe  organ.  These  alterations  and  decorating  cost 
about  $30,000.  The  worry  and  care  which  a  building 
enterprise  entails  upon  a  pastor  was  too  great  a  drain  on 
a  physique  never  robust  and  hence  Dr.  Fullerton  felt  con- 
strained to  ask  a  release,  and  Presbytery  dissolved  the 
pastoral  relation  13,  Sept.,  L870. 

The  Rev.  Geo.  F.  Cain,  D.  i).,  was  called,  15,  May,  1871, 
and  installed  in  October.  This  pastorate  though  the 
briefest,  but  one  in  our  histor}^  was  not  without  fruits 
since  six  by  examination  and  twenty-three  by  letter  were 
added  to  tke  roll.  Dr.  Cain  terminated  his  ministry  among 
us  13,  Nov.,  1872. 

The  Rev.  W.  J.  Me  Knight,  D.  D.,  was  elected  pastor 
16,  June,  1873,  and  installed,  2,  Nov.  following.  This  pastor- 
ate, a  little  longer  than  the  average,  was  one  of  the  largest 
in  additions  to  the  membership.  Supplementing  the  untir- 
ing evangelistic  methods  of  the  pastor,  the  church  invited 
the  Rev.  H.  H.  Wells,  D.  D.,  to  conduct  a  series  of  special 
services  in  which  all  the  churches  were  asked  to  join. 
These  meetings  made  Dec.  1875  memorable;  for  all  the 
churches  reaped  abundantly.  At  a  later  period  the  Rev, 
Dr.  McKee,  of  Danville,  Ky.,  gave  valued  aid  to  the  pastor. 

During  this  term  the  church  with  great  unanimity 
adopted  the  rotary  or  limited  term  of  service  for  its  elders. 
It  was  during  this  pastorate  that  the  Mission  Sabbath 
School  was  started  on  the  North  side  by  the  patient  and 
self-sacrificing  labors  of  members  of  First  and  Second 
churches  together  with  other  Christian  workers.  The 
full   story  of  this   work   will   be   told    in  another   paper. 


DR.  FALCONER,  MR.  MURPHY  21 

Called  to  the  church  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  Dr. 
McKnight  resigned,  and  on  1,  Jan.,  1880,  he  left  Spring- 
field for  his  new  field  of  labor. 

During  an  interval  of  eight  months,  the  Rev.  Dr.  J. 
B.  Helwig,  President  of  Wittenberg  College,  preached 
most  acceptably. 

The  Rev.  W.  C.  Falconer,  D.  D.,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  was 
called.  His  installation  took  place  9,  Nov.,  1880.  During 
his  period  of  service,  the  longest  but  one  in  the  history  of 
the  church,  many  special  evangelistic  meetings  were  held, 
sometimes  by  the  pastor  alone  and  again  with  the  assist- 
ance of  brother  ministers.  One  of  special  note,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  was  held  in  this  room,  con- 
ducted by  C.  H.  Yatman. 

Dr.  Falconer  actively  promoted  the  work  at  Oakland, 
which  was  given  form  and  permanence  in  his  ministry. 
At  this  time  also  was  inaugurated  the  change  from  chorus 
to  quartet  in  leading  the  music  of  the  church,  varying  at 
times  to  precentor  and  chorus  and  quartet. 

Over  a  year  before  he  resigned,  failing  health  com- 
pelled Dr.  Falconer  to  relinquish  the  duties  of  his  pastor- 
ate and  all  of  his  colleagues  of  Daj^ton  Presbytery,  in  turn, 
gave  him  a  Sabbath's  service.  Hope  of  restoration  to 
health  having  failed.  Dr.  Falconer  tendered  his  resignation 
and  the  relation  was  dissolved  13,  April,  1891. 

The  Rev.  A.  A.  Murphy  entered  upon  his  work  as 
pastor  1,  Sept.,  1891.  A  very  large  accession  to  the  mem- 
bership was  made  during  this  pastorate  through  the  work 
of  Dr.  Chapman,  whose  labors  were  efficiently  and  loyally 
supported  by  Mr.  Murphy.  His  pastorate  closed  18,  June, 
1894. 

The  Rev.  Alex  Proudfit,  D.  D.,  was  called  9,  Jan., 
1895  and  entered  upon  his  work  17,  Feb.  1895. 

In  labors  oft  and  in  watchings  oft  he  spent  his  time. 


22  DR.  PROUDFIT 

Tireless  in  the  service  of  his  Master  and  full  of  plans  for 
aggressive  work  Dr.  Proudfit  was  suddenly  called  to  lay 
down  his  burden  and  receive  the  reward  of  his  earthly 
ministry.  This  death  was  the  first  to  occur  to  a  pastor 
while  in  active  service  among  this  people.  He  died  on  the 
last  Friday  of  March,  1897,  and  on  the  following  Sabbath  a 
bereaved  congregation  and  saddened  community  gathered 
to  pay  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  the  beloved  dead. 

This  record  must  also  note  that  in  just  three  weeks  a 
large  audience  assembled  to  witness  the  funeral  services 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Falconer,  whose  mortal  remains  repose  in  Fern- 
cliff.  Accompanied  by  a  representative  of  this  people  the 
body  of  Dr.  Proudfit  was  transported  to  New  Castle,  Del., 
for  interment. 

The  Rev.  John  Clark  Hill,  D.  D.,  of  Chicago,  III,  was 
called,  2,  March,  1898,  and  installed  on  Wednesday,  27, 
April,  1898. 

This  narrative  should  preserve  the  names  of  some,  at 
least,  who  served  the  church  ad  interim  when  without  the 
services  of  a  regular  pastor.  We  are  greatly  indebted  to 
the  faculty  of  Wittenberg  College.  Rev.  Joel  Swartz 
served  between  Dr.  Scovel  and  Dr.  Fullerton.  Alexander 
Clark,  D.  D.,  of  the  M.  P.  Church,  either  just  before  or  at 
the  close  of  Mr.  Cain's  pastorate.  Dr.  Helwig  supplied 
after  the  departure  of  Dr.  McKnight.  Drs.  Ort  and  Stuck- 
enberg  have  also  most  admirably  sustained  the  reputation 
of  this  pulpit  for  forceful  and  fearless  preaching. 

No  less  debt  of  gratitute  is  due  to  the  Rev.  James  L. 
Rodgers,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  Dayton,  who  was 
alwa3"s  ready  to  respond  to  our  call  for  help  in  pulpit  ser- 
vice, in  moderating  session,  at  congregational  meetings  and 
sacramental  seasons.  Genial  and  sympathetic,  he  holds  a 
large  place  in  our  esteem  for  the  able  and  helpful  minis- 
trations as  a  suppl}^  when  we  were  without  a  pastor.  While 


PROMINENT  MEMBERS  23 

acting  in  this  i  elation  between  the  pastorates  of  Mr. 
Murphy  and  Dr.  Proudfit,  Mr.  Rodgers  died  very  suddenly. 

Soon  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Proudfit,  the  Rev.  J.  A.  P. 
McGaw,  D.  D.,  had  charge  of  the  public  and  social  meet- 
ings of  the  church  and  served  with  great  profit  to  us  for 
nearly  a  year  until  the  settlement  of  Dr.  Hill. 

Our  record  is  unique  in  that  the  physical  comfort  of 
the  worshippers  was  cared  for  during  more  than  a  third  of 
our  history  by  one  sexton.  After  twenty-five  years  con- 
secutive service  this  faithful  man  and  brother  in  the  church, 
Mr.  John  Harford,  was  presented  with  a  handsome  gold 
watch  and  chain  as  our  testimonial  to  his  worth. 

With  proper  pride  may  we  point  to  the  prominent 
places  in  this  community  filled  by  members  of  this  and 
allied  Presbyterian  churches.  In  civic  aff'airs  they  have 
contributed  their  share  to  our  material  growth.  In  council 
and  legislative  hall,  on  the  bench  and  in  the  pulpit  her 
sons  have  borne  a  worthy  part.  Men  known  beyond  the 
bounds  of  this  community  and  state,  such  as  the  Rev.  A.  A. 
E.  Taylor,  D.  D.  L.  L.  D ,  ex-president  of  Wooster  Univer- 
sity and  now  of  Columbus,  O. ;  the  Rev.  James  A.  Paige,  D. 
D.,  of  Carleton,  Minn.,  and  the  Rev.  James  O.  Murra}^  D. 
D.,  L.  L.  D.,  Dean  of  Princeton  University,  were  once  mem- 
bers here. 

From  the  families  of  this  church,  or  aided  by  its 
benevolence,  these  men  have  been  sent  into  the  ministry: 
The  Rev.  Washington  A.  Hooper,  the  Rev.  Edwin  B. 
Raff'ensberger,  the  Rev.  Wm.  H.  McMeen,  the  Rev.  S.  M. 
Crothers,  the  Rev.  Gilbert  L.  Wilson. 

The  Board  of  Publication  of  our  denomination  felt  the 
influence  of  a  practical  printer  and  publisher  from  this  con- 
gregation, when  he  instituted  an  inquiry  on  the  floor  of  our 
General  Assembly  why  the  business  done  was  so  meager, 
the  cost  so  high  and  the  profits  so  small.     In  spite  of  de- 


24  GENERAL  STATISTICS 

termined  opposition,  the  investigation  went  on,  changes 
were  ordered  and  carried  out,  and  the  first  report  of  a  full 
years  business  under  the  new  order,  showed  an  increase  of 
thirteen  per  cent,  in  business  done  and  an  increase  of  six 
hundred  per  cent,  in  profits,  which  helped  the  missionary 
work  of  the  Board  to  more  efficient  service.  Realizing  the 
importance  of  the  work  undertaken,  Mr.  J.  S.  Crowell,  a 
member  of  the  investigating  Committee,  was  sent  by  our 
Presbytery  to  the  Assembly  four  consecutive  years,  a  dis- 
tinction, perhaps,  never  enjoyed  by  any  other  elder  in  the 
church. 

Fall  statistical  tables,  from  the  annual  reports  of 
General  Assembly,  are  to  be  given  in  the  appendix  to  the 
report  of  this  celebration  and  in  them  all  details  of  each 
year  and  grand  totals  may  be  seen.  It  may  be  well  to  state 
here,  however,  that  nearly  1400  persons  have  been  received 
into  the  communion  of  this  church  on  confession  of  faith. 
Of  the  eighty-four  years  of  Fresbyterianism  in  this  com- 
munit}^  including  the  four  years  before  organization,  nine 
and  a  half  years  the  work  was  sustained  by  supplies  from 
the  Presbyter}^  fifteen  years  under  irregular  supplies  and 
fifty-nine  and  one-half  years  under  pastors.  Twelve  men 
have  filled  the  pastoral  office,  an  average  of  about  five 
years.  The  longest  term  was  that  of  Mr  Galloway,  seven- 
teen years  and  six  months,  and  the  next  in  length  that  of 
Dr.  Falconer,  ten  years  and  six  months.  The  shortest 
pastorate  was  that  of  Mr.  Putnam,  nine  months,  and  the 
next  shortest  that  of  Dr.  Cain,  one  year  and  one  month. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  diflTerences  which,  at  times, 
strained  the  relations  of  pastor  and  parishioner,  it  may 
confidently  be  said  that  there  is  not  one  of  the  men  who 
have  ministered  here  who  by  some  act  of  love,  some  word  of 
cheer  or  some  friendly  admonition  has  not  left  himself  en- 
shrined in  many  a  heart  and  when  the  Lord  comes  to  make 


PLATE  No.  2 


PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES  25 

up  his  jewels  we  are  sure  that  a  starless  crown  will  not  be 
placed  on  the  head  of  any  pastor  of  this  old  First  Church. 

THE  RECEPTION 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Weir's  paper  the  congrega- 
tion proceeded  to  the  Lecture  Room  and  Parlors,  where 
several  hours  were  spent  in  a  joyous  reunion  of  the  three 
Presbyterian  congregations  with  their  pastors.  Most  of 
the  pastors  of  the  other  churches  of  the  city  were  also 
present.  Invitations  had  been  sent  to  all  former 
members,  whose  addresses  were  known,  and  a  large 
number  of  these  came  and  were  present  during  the  entire 
celebration.  The  rooms  were  beautifully  decorated  with  a 
great  profusion  of  flowers,  by  the  young  people  under  the 
direction  of  the  efficient  chairman,  Mrs.  J.  L.  Conklin. 

Sunday  Morning,  Twenty-Fourth,  September 

WORDS    OF    PERSONAL     REMINISCENCE     FROM 
FORMER  PASTORS 

The  opening  of  the  service  was  conducted  as  usual. 
The  hymns  sung  were,  "Rejoice  the  Lord  is  King,"  and  the 
old  Scotch  paraphrase,  "0  God  of  Bethel,"  to  the  tune 
Balerma.  After  the  offertory  the  pastor  read  extracts 
from  letters  sent  by  former  pastors. 

Dr.  Fullerton  wrote:  "I  regret  much  that  I  shall  not 
be  able  to  be  present  at  the  celebration  of  the  church  which 
is  still  so  dear  to  me.  The  state  of  my  health  is  such  that 
I  can  stand  no  excitement.  But  I  pray  that  you  may  have 
'all  sorts  of  a  good  time,'  and  that,  above  all,  the  spiritual 
life  of  the  church  may  be  quickened.  My  health  was  so 
broken  in  Springfield  that  I  have  crept  through  life  since, 
in  a  sadly  crippled  condition,  yet  I  thank  God  that  he  per. 
mitted  me  to  be  for  a  time  one  of  the  pastors  of  the  First 


26  DRS.  FULLERTON  /thID  McKNIGHT 

Church.  God  blessed  me  and  my  work.  The  men  with 
whom  I  was  most  intimately  associated,  the  Ruling  Elders, 
in  particular,  have  passed  away.  I  cannot  linger  on  their 
precious  names  and  memories,  or  on  the  names  of  the  noble 
women,  old  and  young,  who  were  as  faithful  and  loving. 
The  little  children  begin  to  show  gray  hairs.  The  'Young 
People'  are  the  ripe  Christians  of  today. 

It  is  hard  for  me  to  close  this  hasty  letter  without 
references  to  individuals,  but  I  must  not  begin.  I  trust 
the  other  pastors  who  are  still  surviving  will  be  with  you 
to  link  the  old  with  the  new. 

May  the  heart  of  3'our  present  pastor  be  refreshed 
and  may  God  'sing  for  jo\''  over  you  as  he  promised  to  do 
over  his  ancient  people  through  his  holy  prophet." 

Dr.  McKnight  wrote:  "To  the  general  rejoicing 
which,  I  am  sure,  characterizes  the  celebration  of  your 
Eightieth  Anniversary,  I  beg  leave  to  offer  my  sincere  and 
hearty  congratulations. 

You  are  acting  wisely,  I  think,  in  pausing,  for  a  little 
season,  in  the  onward  sweep  of  your  history,  to  count  the 
mile-stones  which  have  flitted  past,  and  learn  the  lessons  of 
wisdom  your  noble  career  as  a  church  so  clearly  teaches. 
For  four  score  years,  like  some  pure  and  chrj'stal  fountain 
perpetually  pouring  forth  its  life-giving  waters,  making 
the  dessert  to  bloom  as  the  garden  of  the  Lord,  this  church 
of  God's  own  planting  has  been  a  fountain  of  life  and 
blessing  and  salvation  to  this  communit}'.  Onl}'  the  all- 
wise  Lord  himself,  who  forgets  not  a  cup  of  cold  water 
given  in  his  name,  can  fully  set  forth  the  vast  amount  of 
temporal  and  spiritual  good  which  the  patient  and  faithful 
labors  of  this  church  have  produced   in  these  long  years. 

I  do  assure  you,  brethren,  that  I  am  very  loath  to 
break  in  upon  this  noble  record  of  your  history  with  any 


DR.  Mcknight  27 

reference  to  the  brief  and  insignificant  part  embraced  by 
my  own  humble  ministry  among  you,  all  the  more  so  as  I 
have  never  there  nor  elsewhere,  kept  any  statistics  of  my 
labors  in  the  ministr}'- — knowing  that  if  I  ever  did  any- 
thing of  real  worth  the  Lord  would  record  it  in  his  book  of 
remembrance,  and  hoping  that,  in  his  great  mercj'',  he 
would  forget  and  forgive  my  many  failures  and  short- 
comings. For  this  reason,  therefore,  instead  of  accurate 
facts  I  can  only  give  you  a  few  impressions  still  left  upon 
a  poor  memory. 

I  served  the  church  six  years  and  three  months.  I 
recall  with  great  pleasure  many  of  the  good  and  godly 
men  and  women  who  then  constituted  the  strength  and 
glory  of  the  church.  Omitting  those  who  are  happily  still 
among  you,  I  see  distinctly,  especially  of  the  elders,  who 
have  gone  to  join  the  General  Assembly  and  Church  of  the 
first  born,  the  names  of  Jessie  Christie,  W.  P.  Gray,  J.  B. 
Wertz,  Dr.  Buckingham,  names  and  characters  worthy  to 
be  held  in  remembrance  by  the  younger  elders.  A  great 
host  of  other  worthy  men  and  women,  many  of  whom  are 
still  faithfully  serving  the  Lord  among  you,  rise  up  before 
my  memory,  with  much  pleasure,  but  the  roll  is  too  long  to 
call  over.  Their  names  are  now  made  sacred  to  all  by  the 
seal  of  death  and  the  crown  of  glory.  Two  of  these  names 
were  those  of  Miss  Augusta  Steele  and  Miss  Minnie  King, 
whose  loving  kindness  to  me  were  a  constant  spring  of  re- 
freshing to  my  oft  weary  soul.  The  third  name  was  that 
of  Thomas  King,  the  devoted  and  consecrated  young  mis- 
sionary (though  he  was  not  permitted  to  enter  the  foreign 
field)  who,  being  dead,  is  yet  speaking  in  India  and  I  hope 
in  this  church.  For  the  encouragement  of  other  pastors, 
I  will  mention  that  he  told  me  on  his  deathbed,  that  some 
remarks  made  on  one  dark  and  stormy  night  to  a 
small  company,    at   the  oft    despised    missionary    meet- 


28  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES 

ing,    first    led    him   to   consecrate   liis   life   to    missions. 

The  records  of  the  church  show  what  was  done  in  this 
six  years  and  three  months  by  the  church  in  its  benevolent 
and  missionary  work,  and  also  in  the  additions  made  by 
examination  and  certificate  to  the  membership  of  the 
church.  As  well  as  I  can  recall,  I  think  the  average  num- 
ber of  additions,  by  both  methods,  was  nearly  fifty.  As 
you  will  remember,  this  average  was  largely  increased  by 
the  wonderful  revival  which  occurred  under  the  preaching 
of  the  Rev.  H.  H.  Wells,  D.  D..  when,  I  think  over  a  hun- 
dred were  received  into  the  church  at  the  March  com- 
munion after  meeting  closed  early  in  January.  And  I  de- 
sire to  bear  testimony  that  these  converts  gave  as  good 
evidence  of  being  regenerate  Christians  as  any  similar 
number  I  ever  received.  Concerning  my  personal  work 
and  life  among  3'ou,  I  have  nothing  at  all  to  sa}'.  Many  of 
you  recall  it  all  too  well.  I  only  ask  that  you  too,  as  well 
as  my  Lord  and  Master,  may  forget  and  forgive  all  its 
faults  and  failures. 

It  onl}'-  remains  for  me  to  congratulate  3'ou  heartily 
upon  your  fortunate  selection  of  a  pastor  to  lead  you  forth 
into  the  coming  centur}^,  and  upon  the  enterprising  and 
fruitful  ministry  which  he  is  conducting  among  you,  and 
to  express  my  earnest  and  faith-filled  prayer  that  the  next 
eight}^  3'ears  may  prove  even  more  fruitful  and  glorious 
than  the  past  eighty.     Amen." 

The  Rev.  Sylvester  F.  Scovel,  D.  D.,  then  gave  an 
extended  address  of  which  the  following  is  a  synopsis: 

More  important  words  will  never  be  said,  even  beyond 
the  bourne  from  which  no  traveler  returneth  than  these: 
*'Son!  Remember."  We  do  well,  then,  to  pause  amid  life's 
rushing  currents  and  give  time  to  memory.  If  it  is  em- 
ployed as  it  ought  to  be  and  may  be,  it  will  be  quite  as 


DR.  SCOVEL  29 

profitable  as  any  time  we  can  spend.  With  profoundest 
interest  we  gather  here,  all  of  us  who  have  been  partici- 
pants in  the  life  of  this  church's  past,  for  a  season  of  re- 
membering and  learning.  It  is  well  to  carry  it  over  sev- 
eral days,  to  combine  in  it  all  the  elements  of  efficient 
church  life,  to  prepare  for  it  elaborately,  to  attend  the 
whole  carefully  and  to  reflect  over  it  thoughtfully.  With 
all  my  heart,  I  thank  God  that  this  sacred  festival  has 
been  arranged  and  on  all  its  observances  I  devoutly  invoke 
his  blessing  and  the  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  without 
whom  nothing  is  strong  or  holy. 

Reminiscences  must  be  written  from  the  personal 
point  of  view,  for  that  constitutes,  largely,  their  value.  The 
personal  pronoun  must  be  allowed  more  liberty  than  usual, 
but  immediately  forgotten  in  what  it  brings  to  light — like 
a  fish-hook,  for  example. 

My  ministry  actually  began  in  Februar}^  1857,  pro- 
ceeded to  licensure  in  April,  and  ordination  and  installa- 
tion at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  in  October  of  the  same  year. 

Somewhere  late  in  1859  I  was  invited  to  preach  here, 
no  final  decision  was  made  until  after  the  Second  church 
was  formed.  Late  in  1860  the  call  was  made  and  I  began 
my  work  with  Januar}^  1861,  and  continued  till  January, 
1866.  These  years  were  succeeded  by  nearly  eighteen  as 
pastor  at  Pittsburg  and  by  sixteen  as  president  at 
Wooster.  My  ministry  has  continued  paralell  with  the 
latter  half  of  the  life  of  this  dear  old  church. 

I  was  full  of  health  and  hope  when  I  came  hither,  a 
youth  of  twenty-five,  and  I  found  a  condition  and  things 
which  gave  full  employment  to  every  energy.  There  was 
need  of  earnest  work,  but  there  was  most  abundant  en- 
couragement to  work.  Here  was  hearty  welcome,  a  united 
people,  ability  to  support  the  ordinances,  a  willing  spirit 
within  and  a   growing   city  without,  a  central  location  in 


30  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES 

the  midst  of  a  population  rather  inclined  to  Sabbath  keep- 
ing and  church  attendance,  children  needing  the  Sabbath 
school  and  easil}^  won  to  its  influences,  a  good  standard  of 
education,  kept  constantly  improving  by  the  presence  of 
a  Christian  college,  cordial  relations  with  all  the  other  de- 
nominations of  Christians  and  especial  cordiality  toward 
the  new  church  of  our  own  denomination.  What  more 
could  a  young  pastor  desire.  As  I  remember  the  church 
life  of  those  years  there  were  indications  of  sincerity  and 
earnestness  in  many  directions.  The  congregations  were 
good  and  the  attention  serious.  Indeed,  I  think  good  at- 
tention has  been  always  a  distinguishing  mark  of  this  con- 
gregation. The  prayer  meetings  were  never  all  that  could 
have  been  desired,  but  thej*,  too,  were  well  attended,  if 
judged  by  the  standard  common  in  our  churches,  and  the 
people  always  seemed  in  earnest.  It  was  not  eas}'  to  per- 
suade the  officers  and  members  to  exercise  the  gift  of  ex- 
horting one  another,  but  there  were  always  those  ready  to 
lead  our  devotions  in  prayers,  some  of  which  I  can  remem- 
ber to  this  day  in  their  spirit  and  general  form.  For  sev- 
eral vears  two  meetings  each  week  were  held.  The 
Wednesda}^  gave  opportunity  for  a  lecture,  the  Frida}'  was 
more  distinctly  the  congregational  prayer  meeting. 

The  organization  of  the  church  for  Christian  work 
gradualh^  advanced.  There  were  3"oung  Christians  who 
earnestly  endeavored  to  serve  the  Master  in  various  ways. 
We  had  respect  to  the  large  place  which  the  covenant 
holds  in  our  denominational  faith  and  order  and  held  on 
the  afternoon  of  each  Communion  Sabbath  what  we  called 
simply  Parents'  and  Children's  meeting,  which  took  the 
place  of  the  evening  service.  Often  I  longed  for  such  a 
meeting  in  subsequent  pastoral  life.  At  that  meeting 
children  were  presented  for  baptism.  There  was  time  for 
more  than  a  hurried  word  concerning  the  covenant  obliga- 


DR.  SCOyEL  31 

tions  and  the  covenant  blessings.  Very  precious  are  the 
memories  of  some  of  those  meetings.  Closely  associated 
in  aim  and  meaning  were  the  meetings  of  the  mothers.  To 
these  some  of  the  children  were  taken  and  much  was  done 
to  make  the  home  life  thoroughly  Christian,  which  is  the 
indispensable  thing.  Then  came  the  Sabbath  school  with 
its  new  spirit  and  growing  numbers,  and  pleasant  anni- 
versaries, and  seasons  of  special  religious  interest.  Teach- 
ers' meetings  were  kept  up.  Helps  were  introduced. 
Pastor's  Bible  class  was  formed  and  proved  to  be  so  help- 
ful to  the  school  and  so  excellent  an  instrument  to  reach 
young  men  that  it  was  continued  through  all  the  years  of 
my  pastorate  at  Pittsburg.  Many  times  have  I  met  men 
in  the  stress  of  life's  work  who  remembered  that  class.  An 
unbelieving  lawyer  proposed  to  study  Job,  having  in  mind 
only  the  literary  qualities  of  the  book.  I  think  he  was 
surprised  to  find  how  many  other  and  more  important 
things  are  found  in  that  venerable  writing.  After  a  series 
of  meetings  in  close  connection  with  the  Sabbath  school, 
some  fifteen  or  sixteen  of  the  children  of  the  church  and  of 
our  classes  desired  admission  to  the  Lord's  table.  They  were 
advised  to  meet  with  the  pastor  for  six  months.  The  re- 
sults of  that  Pastor's  class  were  so  happy  that  it  also  was 
continued  in  other  relations.  I  wish,  dear  brethren, 
that  now  that  we  have  a  Children's  day  in  our  church 
calendar,  it  might  be  spent  not  so  much  in  recitations  and 
music  (with  accompaniment  of  flowers)  as  in  attention  to 
the  whole  line  of  truth  and  incident,  so  ample  and  so  inter- 
esting by  which  the  heart  of  the  fathers  might  be  turned 
to  the  children  and  vice  versa,  and  the  hearts  of  both  to 
the  Lord.  He  has  made  the  family  and  the  church  co- 
equal guardians  and  friendly  inns  for  our  children  and 
youth.  Family  life  and  church  life  touch  at  a  thousand 
points  and  each  is  the  better  for  the   stronger  life  of  the 


82  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES 

Other.  There  is  nothing  more  needed  than  to  cultivate  the 
power  of  each  for  the  other's  benefit. 

I  can  never  forget  the  gratitude  due  to  this  church  for 
the  care  of  its  pastor  during  those  years.  The  promised 
support  was  promptly  paid,  several  times  increased,  and 
always  supplemented  by  personal  and  congregational  gifts 
of  the  utmost  appropriateness  and  timeliness.  Among 
other  things  my  exemption  from  the  draft  was  secured  at 
how  large  an  expense  I  never  knew.  I  can  never  forget  the 
table-service  which  Mr.  Baldwin  and  Mr.  Jesse  Christie 
came  bearing  down  the  aisle  at  the  Sabbath  School  Anni- 
versary of  April,  1865.  It  has  been  a  constant  reminder  of 
those  happy  occasions  for  the  intervening  thirty-four  years 
— as  has  been  the  writing  desk  which  was  the  parting  gift 
of  the  children. 

The  social  life  of  Springfield  during  these  years  was 
full  of  interest  and  opportunity.  Different  Churches  min- 
gled in  social  relations.  There  were  few,  if  any,  extravagant 
"functions"  in  those  days,  but  there  were  the  nicest, 
cheeriest  and  most  sensible  tea-parties  I  have  ever  seen. 
As  a  means  of  church  extension  and  edification  I  would 
exhort  you  to  cling  to  the  tea-part}^  and  discard  the  more 
pretentious  and  expensive  arrangements  which  are  apt  to 
have  in  them  more  of  display  on  the  one  side  and  dress  on 
the  other  than  is  reconcilable  either  with  unselfishness  or 
spiritualit}^— both  of  which  are  essential  to  vital  piety. 

All  who  were  here  from  1861  to  1866,  will  remember 
how  large  a  share  in  all  our  thoughts,  our  hopes  and  fears 
and  plans,  and  our  Christian  work,  were  given  to  the  war 
which  was  waged  to  subdue  rebellion  and  save  our  country. 
Some  of  you  may  remember  the  pastor's  leave  of  absence 
to  serve  as  a  member  of  the  Christian  Commission  in 
December,  1864.  All  through  those  trying  years  for  the 
nation  the  current  of  the  church  life  was  well  sustained. 


PLATE  No.  3 


DR.  SCOyEL  33 

During  my  pastorate  there  were  no  flood  tides  of  gen- 
eral revival,  but  there  was  a  constant  and  quiet  growth. 
We  did  not  rely  upon  mass-meetings,  but  upon  personal 
work.  We  had  meetings  on  Monday  after  the  Communion, 
and  also  a  brief,  but  earnest  prayer  meeting  at  eight  o'clock 
on  Sabbath  morning.  The  going  out  of  colonies  has  some- 
times necessitated  changes  in  the  personel  of  the  workers, 
but  there  have  always  been  some  ready  to  meet  the  exigency. 
As  the  losses  have  come  by  death  and  removal,  the  ranks 
have  closed  up  and  recruits  have  been  added.  When  the 
300  members  left,  after  the  formation  of  the  Second  Church, 
came  into  shoulder- touch,  they  found  they  could  well  carry 
on  the  church  despite  the  loss  of  many  who  had  been  active. 

An  Apostle  counsels  "Help  those  Women,"  but  surely 
they  had  heard  him  say,  "help  that  young  pastor."  They 
certainly  obeyed.  I  did  not  have  even  to  beseech  them  to 
be  of  one  mind.  Their  irreproachable  conduct  and  good 
example  was  a  constant  force.  They  sustained  the  services 
of  the  church  and  their  own  special  meetings  They  devel- 
oped the  social  life  of  the  church  and  of  the  Sabbath  School 
and  made  it  as  nearly  ideal  as  possible.  We  were  all  one 
in  the  work  for  Christ.  Every  step  in  advance  was  sup- 
ported by  their  devoted  energies.  Elder  McGrew  is  right 
in  saying  that  whatever  the  women  of  this  church  say 
should  be  done  for  the  honor  of  religion  is  sure  to  be  done. 
It  was  always  so. 

And  you  will  not  have  forgotten  the  one  among  them 
who  was  nearest  to  me,  and  in  one  sense,  nearest  to  all  of 
you.  She  was  alwa3^s  gratified  to  think  of  herself  as  having 
been  of  this  goodly  company  for  five  years.  How  often  she 
said  to  me:  "We  shall  never  see  five  happier  years."  Some 
of  you  remember  her  fresh,  sweet  face,  her  winning  man- 
ners, her  social  talent,  her  love  of  every  woman  who  was 
willing-hearted  in  Christ's  service.     Some  ma}^  remember 


84  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES 

her  home-life,  which  came  first  in  her  list  of  duties,  and 
made  the  parsonage  a  place  always  ready  for  your  visits, 
singly  or  in  various  companies.  You  remember  her  fine 
voice  always  lent  to  God's  service  in  the  sanctuary.  She 
returned  hither  with  the  greatest  pleasure,  and  with  profit 
to  her  health,  in  the  earlier  years  after  our  going  away. 
God  gave  her  opportunity  for  large  and  efficient  service  in 
other  fields  of  endeavor,  some  of  them  difficult.  And  in 
them  all  she  felt  the  help  of  the  kindly  feeling,  generous 
appreciation  and  ready  co-operation  which  the  women  of 
this  church  always  gave  her.  May  the  memory  of  her  life 
and  character  be  preserved  among  you  from  generation  to 
generation.  It  cannot  fail  to  contribute  toward  the  noblest 
type  of  Christian  womanhood. 

At  this  distance  from  those  years  I  am  the  more  sen- 
sible of  the  privilege  the  pastor  has  who  is  called  to  be  the 
shepherd  of  such  a  flock.  The  church  helps  him  by  gen- 
erous appreciation  to  his  most  earnest  study  and  strongest 
thought.  It  aids  in  carrying  out  every  wise  plan.  Let  me 
beg  you  to  live  as  close  to  your  pastor  as  many  did  to  me, 
and  his  growth  and  life-work  will  abundantly  reward  3'ou. 

This  church  has  had  great  blessing  in  the  succession 
of  its  pastors.  I  have  known  them  all,  I  think,  and  some 
of  them  intimately.  Galloway  and  Burt  and  Findle}'  be- 
fore me,  and  Cain  and  FuUerton  and  McKnight  and 
Falconer  and  Murph}^  after  me.  And  I  bear  heartiest 
witness  to  the  force  and  skill  of  him  who  is  3^our  leader 
toda}^     Keep  close  to  3^our  pastor. 

The  greatest  force  in  church  life  is  piety — deep,  sin- 
cere, simple  piety.  The  history  of  this  church  is  full  of 
instruction  and  encouragement  at  this  point.  Its  times  of 
greatest  real  success  have  been  its  seasons  of  deepest 
spirituality.  Emerson  says  that  the  "soul  of  soul,  the  fire 
of  fire,  is  moral  power,"  but  for  the  church  we  know  it  to 


MR.  MURPHY  85 

be  spiritual  power.  This  is  the  thing  to  be  cultivated. 
Nearness  to  God  is  the  way  to  find  approach  to  man. 
Power  with  God  and  with  man  go  together.  Take  care 
that  the  future  be  true  to  the  past  and  far  more  abundant 
in  a  deep  and  abiding  and  characteristic  and  fruitful 
spirituality. 

And  now,  mindful  that  the  time  of  my  departure  may 
be  at  hand,  I  beg  you  receive  the  warmest  benediction  of 
one  who  can  never  cease  to  be  thankful  that  he  was  once 
your  pastor. 

May  God  bless  you  in  basket  and  store,  in  heart  and 
home,  in  opportunity  and  readiness  to  improve  it,  in  whole- 
hearted consecration  and  in  the  peace  of  God  which  comes 
with  it. 

God  bless  the  older  ones  and  may  they  live  in  the  land 
Beulah  until  they  approach  the  pearly  gates  of  the  City  ot 
Rest. 

God  bless  those  who  are  now  bearing  the  heat  and 
burden  of  the  day,  and  make  them  equal  to  the  demands 
of  his  providence  and  worthy  of  their  privileges. 

God  bless  the  younger  and  enrich  them  with  all  the 
heritage  of  the  past  and  fit  them  for  the  splendid  possibili- 
ties which  must  come  to  them  in  the  opening  cen- 
tury. 

After  singing  a  hymn,  The  Rev.  Archibald  A. 
Murphy,  M.  A.,  gave  a  brief  address,  in  which  he  said : 

I  shall  always  look  back  upon  my  pastorate  of  three 
years  in  Springfield  as  a  green  spot  in  my  life.  In  some 
respects  it  appears  to  me  like  a  dream;  from  the  old  world 
I  came  here,  and  when  through,  I  went  back  to  the  old 
world — my  pastorate  in  this  city  being  a  bit  of  American 
freshness  between  experiences  among  the  ancient  ruins, 
sites  and  memories  of  the  eastern  hemisphere.     I  was  here 


36  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES 

just  three  years  almost  to  the  exact  date.  Forgive  me,  but 
coming  from  the  ''effete  East,"  as  I  do,  Springfield  was  al- 
most unknown  to  me,  before  I  came  to  live  in  it.  The  im- 
pression made  upon  my  life  will  never  be  effaced.  With 
the  reverend  gentleman  who  has  preceded  me,  I  must 
agree,  that  you  have  a  beautiful  cit3^  As  I  came  back 
after  five  years'  absence,  from  wandering  over  the  earth,  I 
see  marks  of  improvement  on  every  hand  and  congratulate 
you  on  the  progress  you  are  making. 

Many  delightful  and  sacred  memories  come  back  to 
me  today.  Here,  right  at  m}^  feet,  for  instance,  is  a  sacred 
spot.  It  is  where  I  baptized  two  bright  and  beautiful 
young  people,  a  boy  and  a  girl,  now  among  the  immortal 
youth  of  heaven.  That  together  they  should  have  met  a 
watery  grave  as  well  as  together  passed  through  the 
spiritual  Jordan  of  hol}^  baptism,  is  one  of  those  strange 
coincidences  whereby  we  perceive  that  God's  thoughts  are 
above  our  thoughts. 

The  number  of  young  people,  as  well  as  others,  who 
came  into  this  church  during  those  three  years  is  a  matter 
of  deep  gratitute  to  God,  to  me.  I  have  seen  the  study 
down  stairs  so  crowded  with  candidates  for  church  mem- 
bership, that  there  was  hardly  room  for  the  session  to  re- 
ceive them.  Again,  I  remember  one  Sabbath  afternoon 
here  in  this  auditorium,  when  an  immense  audience,  larger 
even  than  that  gathered  here  today,  mostly  of  inquirers, 
crowded  the  place.  As  hundreds  rose  and  thereby  signi- 
fied iheir  acceptance  of  Christ,  Dr.  Chapman,  the  evan- 
gelist in  charge,  whispered  to  me  that  never  before  had  he 
witnessed  so  many  entering  the  Kingdom  of  Heaven  at 
once.  Yet  my  mind  goes  back  to  the  beginning  of  all  this^ 
when  one  Wednesday  evening  before  prayer  meeting,  look- 
ing over  my  preparation  in  the  study,  I  heard  a  gentle 
knock  and  upon  opening  the  door  found  an  older  with  two 


MR.  MURPHY  37 

younger  sisters,  come  to  join  the  church.  My  heart  gave 
a  leap;  it  was  a  kind  of  first  fruits. 

When  I  came  here  I  found  an  unusually  large  number 
of  young  people  anxious  for  work,  it  seemed  to  me,  and  to 
work  we  went  with  a  will.  The  excellent  Missionary  Con- 
versazione— one  of  the  best  organizations  of  the  kind  that 
I  ever  heard  of,  and  Dr.  Newton,  of  India,  said  the  same 
thing — was  revived;  the  Young  People's  Society  of 
Christian  Endeavor,  and  a  Junior  Endeavor  were  organ- 
ized; and  even  a  "Guild  of  the  New  Leaf,"  composed  of 
young  men  in  and  out  of  the  church,  came  into  existence. 
Oh,  the  good  times  we  had;  the  pulsing,  enthusiastic, 
throbbing  life  of  youth  could  be  felt  in  every  part  of  the 
church;  I  can  feel  its  influence  yet. 

Old  ladies  and  young  men  have  always  been  the 
special  objects  of  my  pastoral  care.  How  delightful  it  is 
to  see  so  many  of  the  dear,  familiar  faces  of  the  old  here 
today.  Here  and  there,  however,  is  a  vacant  place.  The 
missing  ones  have  gone  with  the  sunset,  not  out  into  the 
night,  but  to  the  dawning  of  a  brighter  morning  of  glory. 
Thanking  God  for  their  memory,  let  us  close  up  the  ranks 
and  march  worthily  of  their  example. 

As  to  young  men:  I  have  often  told  the  stor}^  of  the 
revival  in  Wittenberg  college;  how  it  began  in  connection 
with  the  Chapman  meetings;  among  the  gayest  fellows, 
and  never  stopped  until  all  but  one  or  two  were  brought  to 
Christ.  Let  me  say  that  I  had  a  letter  from  one  of  those 
young  men  some  time  ago,  who  is  now  practicing  law  in 
Chicago.  He  says  that  the  impressions  of  those  days  have 
never  left  him;  that  Christ  has  been  his  Master  all  these 
years;  not  only  so,  but  that  he  has  done  what  he  could  to 
save  other  young  men  from  sin  and  bring  them  to  the 
Savior.  This  is  valuable  testimony  because  it  shows  that 
the  revival  was  the  real  work  of  the  Spirit. 


38  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES 

The  room  below  is  full  of  sacred  associations.  It  was 
there,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  at  a  prayer-meeting,  that 
the  great  temperance  crusade,  out  of  which  has  grown  that 
best  of  all  modern  temperance  organizations,  the  Women's 
Christian  Temperance  Union,  began. 

That  Congress  passed  certain  measures  relative  to  the 
closing  of  the  Columbian  Exposition  on  Sunday,  which 
tended  at  least  toward  diminishing  the  numbers  who  at- 
tended on  that  day,  though  not  slwitting  it  up  altogether, 
we  are  sorry  to  say,  was  owing  to  a  deluge  of  petitions, 
the  first  of  which  came  from  this  church,  and  through 
the  turning  of  his  large  publishing  house  to  print- 
ing and  distributing  its  copies  throughout  the  churches  of 
the  land,  by  one  of  our  elders.  So  we  see  that  we  have  not 
been  without  our  influence  in  the  great  national  reforms  of 
the  day. 

One  word  more:  When  I  left  here,  about  to  sail  for 
Europe,  I  asked  j^our  prayers,  and  upon  the  Sabbath  day 
that  I  would  be  out  at  sea,  that  you  should  sing  the  hymn: 

"  star  of  peace  to  wanderers  weary, 
Bright  the  beams  that  smile  on  me ; 
Cheer  the  pilot's  vision  dreary, 
Far,  far  at  sea." 

This  request  of  mine  was  granted,  I  have  been   given 

to  understand,  and  I   thank  you  for  it.  Well,  I  am  still 

sailing,  not  on  the  Atlantic,  but  on   the  greater   ocean  of 
life,  and  still  need  3'our  prayers. 

"  star  Divine,  O  safely  guide  him. 

Bring  the  wanderer  home  to  thee; 
Sore  temptations  long  have  tried  him, 
Far,  far  at  sea." 


MEMORIALS  39 


Sunday  Afternoon 

At  three,  in  the  afternoon,  a  service  was  held 

IN  LOVING  REMEMBRANCE  OF 

THE  PASTORS  WHO 

HAVE  ENTERED 

INTO  REST 

I.  Those  who  served  the  Church  as  Supplies  and 
Pastors  Prior  to  1850. 

By  the  Hon.  Thomas  F.  McGrew. 

What  I  am  to  give  in  these  brief  sketches,  has  been 
furnished  to  me  from  the  recollection  of  persons  now  living, 
and  who  were  quite  young  during  the  life  and  services  of 
the  ministers  herein  named.  I  could  find  no  records  to 
examine  on  this  interesting  subject,  and  the  letters  I  wrote 
to  others  for  information  failed  to  bring  me  any,  and  I  there- 
fore have  not  much  to  present  to  this  audience. 

The  Rev.  Archibald  Steele,  according  to  the  best  obtain- 
able information,  at  the  beginning  of  his  work,  preached 
once  in  four  weeks  in  Springfield,  preaching  the  other  three 
at  other  places.  During  his  services  the  congregation 
occupied  no  regular  church  building  of  their  own. 

When  Mr.  Steel  would  come  to  Springfield  to  preach, 
he  discharged  that  religious  duty  in  the  Court  House, 
School  House,  or  in  the  old  Associate  Reform  Church. 

The  services  of  this  minister  were  not  for  a  long  period, 
but  were  sufficient  to  demonstrate  that  the  church  was 
needed,  and  that  it  promised  to  become  identified  with  the 
people,  and  proved  to  be  of  great   religious  usefulness,  not 


40  MEMORIALS 

only  to  Presbyterianism,  but  the  entire  population  of 
Springfield. 

We  have  present  here  today,  a  lady  friend  who  at- 
tended the  first  Sunday  School  organized  b}'  this  church, 
during  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Steel.  The  seats  were  made  of 
plain  boards  located  in  a  plain  room.  I  mention  this 
fact  to  contrast  this  early  furniture  with  our  splendid 
present  accommodations. 

The  Rev.  Andrew  W.  Poage  gave  his  service  once  a 
month  until  21,  August,  1825.  Our  knowledge  of  this 
minister's  life  is  not  large,  but  we  must  regard  him  as  one 
who  helped  to  lay  the  foundation  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
church;  and  as  long  as  this  buildiug  stands  and  furnishes 
a  place  of  worship  for  the  congregation  that  now  occupies 
it,  the  recollection  of  his  share  in  making  it  permanent  will 
be  recalled. 

The  Rev .  Franklin  Putnam  was  the  first  regular  pastor 
of  the  church.  This  minister's  services  proved  highl}-  val- 
uable, for  when  he  resigned  his  relationship  to  the  church, 
it  was  made  to  realize  that  its  permanence  was  established, 
for  up  to  that  time  it  had  been  quite  prosperous  in  relig- 
ious work. 

The  Rev.  William  J.  Frazer  was  a  supply  to  the  church 
from  21,  December,  1828,  until  27,  Februarj^  1830.  Further 
information  is  lacking. 

The  Rev.  William  Gray  is  still  remembered  by  some 
members  of  the  church,  as  a  good  man  and  minister.  He 
died  in  Springfield,  and  was  buried  in  some  one  of  her 
cemeteries. 

His  ministerial  services  to  the  church  was  that  of  a 
supply,  and  are  remembered  as  having  been  quite  accept- 
able. At  the  conclusion  of  his  ministerial  services  with 
the  church  it  had  become  self-supporting,  and  no  longer 
dependent  upon  the  board  of  domestic  missions.     He  served 


MEMORIALS  41 

from  27,  February,  1830,  until  24,  February,  1832.  I 
requested  one  of  our  oldest  citizens  to  inform' me  if  he  re- 
membered the  Rev.  William  Gray,  and  what  estimate  the 
members  of  his  congregation  and  citizens  generally  placed 
upon  his  ministerial  services,  and  he  replied:  '*I  remember 
him  quite  well,  and  no  man  or  minister  stood  higher  than 
he  did.  He  was  a  good  man.  I  attended  the  Sunday 
School  connected  with  his  church,  and  I  never  hear  his 
name  spoken  without  an  almost  irresistable  desire  to  take 
off  my  hat  and  salute  his  memor^^  as  I  would  him,  if  he 
now  stood  before  me." 

There  is  no  loveliness  greater  than  the  duty  of  recall- 
ing the  excellent  incidents  in  the  life  of  the  departed 
friends;  and  it  will  give  you  and  me  pleasure  to  recall  this 
testimony.  All  who  remember  him  speak  of  him  in  the 
same  manner,  and  the  people  generall}^  thought  him,  when 
in  the  discharge  of  his  duties, 

....    "a  rainbow  to  their  storms  of  life! 

The  evening  beam  that  smiled  their  clouds  away, 

And  tints  to-morrow  with  prophetic  ray." 

This  minister  was  highly  connected.  His  nephew  was 
a  professor  of  Astronomy,  and  had  charge  of  the  Cincinnati 
Observatory,  and  was  present  when  the  building  was  dedi- 
cated in  a  speech  made  by  John  Quincy  Adams. 

During  his  residence  in  this  city,  his  home  was  in  the 
west  end;  he  was  visited  by  his  nephew,  Professor  Mitchell, 
who  delivered  a  lecture  on  Astronomy  in  this  church  dur- 
ing his  visit.  As  modest  as  this  minister's  life  in  Spring- 
field was,  his  relations  reached  out  so  as  to  recall  our 
recollections  to  the  names  of  our  most  distinguished 
statesmen  and  the  most  trying  periods  in  the  history  of 
our  country. 

Virtue  alone  outbuilds  monuments;  but  monuments  in 
time  crumble  into  dust  and  are  forgotten;  even  the  place 


42  MEMORIALS 

of  their  location  is  lost,  but  good  deeds  alwa3's  expand. 
They  go  out  in  life  and  are  never  forgotten;  the  example 
educates  posterity;  goodness  cannot  die. 

The  Rev.  John  S.  Galloway  was  invited  to  become  a 
stated  supply  for  a  few  months  in  1832,  and  at  the  expiration 
of  his  term,  he  received  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church. 

The  long  period  of  his  pastorate  is  an  indication  of  the 
value  of  his  ministration  entertained  by  the  members  of  his 
congregation,  a  member  of  which  states,  "That  he  was  a 
good  man,  who  lived  a  blameless  life,  and  was  held  in  the 
highest  esteem  by  the  people  generally  as  well  as  by  the 
members  of  his  congregation."  This  statement  has  been 
repeated  to  me  by  others.  A  further  testimony  on  this 
point,  in  his  favor,  is  furnished  by  the  church  officials,  who 
obtained  authority  from  the  members  of  the  congregation, 
to  have  fixed  on  the  wall  of  the  church  near  the  place  of 
the  pulpit  filled  by  him  so  well,  and  so  long,  a  memora- 
ble marble  tablet,  on  which  they  had  inscribed  the  follow- 
ing words: 

"A  man  full  of  faith  and  the  Holy  Ghost."     Acts  6:5. 

Mr.  Galloway  was  born  in  Adams  County,  Pennsyl- 
vania, educated  at  Jeff"erson  College,  Canonsburg,  died  in 
Dayton,  Ohio,  and  was  buried  in  Ferncliff  Cemetery. 

The  personal  life  and  professional  services  of  the  min- 
isters of  the  First  Church  before  the  year  1850,  it  has 
been  next  to  impossible  to  obtain,  for  not  a  single  official 
of  the  church  for  that  period  is  now  living,  but  what  we  do 
know  bears  high  testimony  in  favor  of  their  Christian 
character  and  usefulness. 

Much  of  the  information  furnished  here  was  obtained 
from  ministers  who  attended  a  meeting  of  Synod  held  in 
Springfield  in  the  year  1858,  and  which  was  published  in 
the  Cincinnati  Herald  and  Presbyter,  after  the  adjourn- 
ment of  that  body. 


MEMORIALS  43 


II.     Pastors  from  1850  to  1872 

By  Alexander  R.  Cobaugh 

The  Rev.  Nathaniel  Clark  Burt,  D.  D,,  the  beloved 
pastor  of  this  church  from  1850  to  1855,  was  born  in  Fair- 
ton,  New  Jersey,  25,  May,  1825.  He  came  of  a  godly  an- 
cestry, his  father  and  grandfather  both  having  been  elders 
in  the  church.  He  was  early  instructed  in  the  Scriptures 
by  a  devoted  mother,  and  a  beautiful  Christian  example 
was  ever  before  him  in  the  family.  The  consequence  was 
he  early  became  a  Christian  and  was  not  long  in  express- 
ing his  desire  to  enter  the  gospel  ministry. 

He  graduated  from  Princeton  college  in  1846  and  from 
Princeton  seminary  in  1850.  It  lacks  a  few  months  of  be- 
ing fifty  years  since  he  became  pastor  of  this  church.  He 
came  directly  from  the  seminary  here,  and  it  was  largely 
through  the  influence  of  Rev.  Jas.  L.  Rodgers  (his  class- 
mate) that  he  was  invited.  His  pastorate  here  was  a 
happy  and  fruitful  one.  He  was  upheld  by  a  united  con- 
gregation and  able  session. 

Two  revivals  occurred  during  Dr.  Burt's  ministry  of 
five  years,  in  one  of  which  about  seventy  persons  were 
added  to  the  church,  besides  constant  additions  from  time 
to  time.  In  1852  the  well  known  house,  Smith  <fe  English, 
of  Philadelphia,  published  his  first  book,  "Redemption's 
Dawn,"  a  series  of  lectures  on  Old  Testament  characters. 
As  the  Lord  had  so  blessed  his  work  here,  it  was  a  painful 
severing  of  the  tie  which  bound  him  to  this  people. 

In  1855  he  was  called  to  Franklin  Street  church,  Bal- 
timore, and  was  its  pastor  for  five  years.  One  prominent 
feature  in  his  work  there  was  the  bringing  out  of  "The 


44  MEMORIALS 

Pastor's  Selections  of  Hymns  and  Tunes."  It  was  de- 
signed for  congregational  singing,  and  Mr.  Hastings  from 
New  York  was  brouo^ht  on  to  Baltimore  to  drill  the  congre- 
gation and  choir.  Dr.  Burt  was  musically  inclined  and 
could  not  preach  where  God  was  poorly  praised  in  wor- 
ship. God  also  blessed  his  ministry  there  b}^  adding  a 
large  number  to  that  church. 

In  1860  Dr.  Burt  was  recalled  west,  to  Cincinnati,  as 
pastor  of  the  Broadway  church.  Here  he  remained  for 
eight  years,  during  which  time  he  was  given  leave  of  ab- 
sence for  one  year,  when  he  traveled  throughout  Europe, 
spent  a  winter  on  the  Nile,  and  a  considerable  time  in  the 
Holy  Land.  Some  of  his  letters  written  on  this  trip  were 
published  under  the  title  of  "The  Far  East."  On  Dr. 
Burt's  return,  and  taking  up  his  pastoral  work,  he  de- 
livered a  course  of  lectures  relating  to  the  geograph}^  of 
the  Holy  Land,  which  were  published  under  the  title,  ''The 
Land  and  Its  Story."  While  here  he  also  published 
*'  Hours  Among  the  Gospels."  On  account  of  his  literary 
work  he  was  honored  by  Hanover  College  with  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Divinity. 

A  throat  difficulty  led  him  to  resign  his  pastorate  and 
assume  the  presidency  of  Ohio  Female  College,  where  he 
remained  for  two  years. 

In  1870  he  returned  to  Europe  with  his  family,  super- 
intending the  education  of  a  class  of  American  3'oung 
ladies,  and  it  was  while  still  in  harness  that  he  died  sud- 
denly in  Rome  in  March  of  1874  at  the  age  of  forty-nine. 
His  remains  rest  in  the  Protestant  cemetery  outside  the 
walls  of  the ''Eternal  Cit}^"  to  await  the  morning  of  the 
resurrection.  His  widow,  Mrs.  Rebecca  A.  Burt,  is  a  resi- 
dent of  this  city. 

The  Rev.  William  T.  Findley,  D.  D.,  the  son  of  Rev. 
Samuel  and  Margaret  Ross  Findley  was  born  near  West 


MEMORIALS  45 

Middletown,  Pa.,  2,  June,  1814.  He  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Ohio  in  1824,  prepared  for  college  under  his 
father's  teaching,  and  graduated  from  Franklin  College  in 
1838.  Entered  Allegheny  Seminary  in  1838  and  attended 
one  session,  was  licensed,  12,  June,  1839,  by  the  Second 
Ohio  Presbytery.  At  this  time  his  health  had  become  so 
seriously  impaired  that  he  studied  privately  under  the 
supervision  of  a  Committee  of  Presbytery.  He  spent  the 
winter  of  1840-41  in  the  South;  engaged  in  mission  work 
in  Dayton,  Ohio;  was  ordained,  19,  April,  1843,  by  the 
Second  Ohio  Presbytery;  was  pastor  of  the  Associated 
Reformed  Church  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  1843-1855. 

In  1855  he  joined  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S. 
A.,  and  became  pastor  of  this  church  on,  6,  January,  1856. 
His  first  sermon  was  from  the  text,  2,  Thess.  3:1,  "Brethren 
pray  for  us  that  the  word  of  the  Lord  may  have  free  course 
and  be  glorified."  He  was  installed,  31,  January,  1856. 
His  ministrations  here  were  greatly  blessed.  Two  large 
revivals  bringing  many  into  the  church.  In  the  spring  of 
1859  he  resigned  his  pastorate  and  that  fall  became  pastor 
of  our  church  atXenia,  Ohio,  remaining  with  them  through- 
out the  period  of  the  civil  war. 

In  1869  he  became  pastor  of  the  Central  Presbyterian 
Church,  Newark,  N.  J.,  remaining  until  1888.  In  1890  he 
became  stated  supply  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Millstone, 
N.  J.,  serving  them  constantly  until  he  was  stricken  down 
in  the  pulpit  on  Children's  Day,  11,  June,  1893.  A  few 
da3"S  later  his  remains  were  placed  along  side  of  the  church 
where  in  God's  providence  he  had  been  privileged  to  round 
out  a  life  of  seventy-nine  j^ears,  fifty  years  of  which  were 
spent  in  a  life  of  active  ministry. 

The  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  conferred  upon 
him  by  Monmouth  College  in  1866.  He  was  a  man  of 
shining  piety  and  great  charity.     It  has  been  said  of  him 


46  MEMORIALS 

often  that  "To  know  him  was  to  love  him"  and  he  was  be- 
loved by  all  his  people  wherever  he  was  located.  Mrs.  A.  J. 
Findlay,  his  widow,  is  at  present  a  resident  of  Perrinville» 
New  Jersey. 

The  Rev.  George  F.  Cain,  B.I).,  a  man  who  exemplified 
in  every  particular  the  Christian  gentleman,  a  Pennsyl- 
vanian  by  birth  and  education,  was  born  near  Harrisburg, 
24,  March,  1828,  and  was  a  student  at  Dickinson  College. 
Mr.  Cain  entered  the  profession  of  law,  practising  with  suc- 
cess. Afterwards  he  determined  that  his  vocation  was  to 
preach  the  Gospel  of  Christ  and  he  studied  Theology  at 
Alleghany  Seminary,  beginning  his  ministerial  labors  at 
Stroudsburg  in  1861.  He  remained  there  until  1864,  when 
he  was  called  to  the  Park  Presbyterian  Church  of  Erie,  Pa. 
His  work  at  Erie  was  very  successful.  In  1870  he  was 
called  to  Alexander  Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia. 
He  remained  but  one  3'ear,  resigning  to  come  to  Springfield, 
and  was  installed  as  our  pastor,  5,  August,  1871.  His 
pastorate  here  was  brief,  less  than  two  years,  leaving  in 
May,  1872,  to  accept  a  charge  in  Williamsport,  Pa.  1883 
he  was  called  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Albion, 
N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  his  death  in  1890  A 
Historical  Sketch  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
Albion,  published  in  1895,  contains  the  following  in  regard 
to  his  pastorate  there:  "Mr.  Cain  was  a  master  of  the 
English  language,  of  clear,  strong  intellect,  and  his  sermons 
were  ever  logical,  concise,  convincing.  On  Sunda}',  21,  Sept., 
1890,  he  entered  the  pulpit  seemingly  in  usual  health,  con- 
ducted the  customary  services  and  was  preaching  an  im- 
pressive sermon  from  2,  Kings,  5:12,  'Are  not  Abana  and 
Parphar  rivers  of  Damascus  better  than  all  the  waters 
of  Israel?  May  I  not  wash  in  them  and  be  clean?' — when 
he  fell  to  the  platform  and  with  scarcely  a  flutter  of  the 
heart  was  translated  to  the  realms  above  with  these  words 


MEMORIALS  47 

upon  his  lips:  'Go,  wash  in  Jordan  and  thou  shalt  be  clean. 
Simple,  specific — '  Words  are  inadequate  to  describe  the 
scene  immediately  following,  when  the  bereaved  congrega- 
tion realized  that  he  had  indeed  passed  from  earth  away." 
Mrs.  Eva  Cain  still  survives  and  is  a  resident  of  Albion,  N.  Y. 

III.     William  Campbell  Falconer 

"He  was  Presbyterian  true  blue."— Butler 
By  W.  S.  Thomas 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Falconer  was  born  in  1836,  at  Wellsville^ 
Ohio.  His  parents  were  Scottish  Highlanders,  and  were 
connected  with  two  of  the  oldest  clans:  were  Presbyterians, 
and  ordained  officers  in  the  church.  They  had  the  staunch 
fidelity,  devotion  to  duty,  and  love  for  God  which  always 
characterized  the  faithful  of  that  country.  He  attended 
Washington  College,  Pennsylvania,  graduating  with  honor 
in  1861. 

He  had  an  inclination  to  study  law,  and  would  have 
made  a  fine  lawyer,  but  was  converted  while  at  college. 
This  changed  his  whole  life.  His  parents  were  desirous 
that  he  should  preach,  and  he  became  convinced  that  this 
was  his  Master's  will.  He  went  to  the  Western  Theo- 
logical Seminary  at  Allegheny  City,  Pa.  On  11,  June, 
1863,  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbj^tery  of  New  Lis- 
bon, Ohio,  graduated  at  the  Seminary  in  1864,  and  or- 
dained, 11,  October,  1865,  by  the  same  Presbytery.  He 
spent  a  time  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland. 

His  first  pastorate  was  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
at  Sharon,  Pa.,  beginning  in  1865.  While  here,  in  1867, 
he  was  married,  and  had  the  rare  good  fortune  of  securing 
a  minister's  model  wife,  in  the  person  of  Elizabeth  Walker 
Dickson,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Dickson,  D.  D.  The 
young  pastor  fell  a  quick  captive  to  her  charming  presence, 


48  MEMORIALS 

beautiful  character,  superb  tact  and  remarkable  intelli- 
gence. Mrs.  Falconer  is  still  living,  together  with  Bertha, 
her  daughter,  wife  of  Mr.  I.  F.  McNalh%  of  Springfield, 
Ohio,  and  her  son,  Walter  Maxwell,  who  is  an  ensign  in 
the  U.  S.  navy.  Their  eldest  son,  Irvine  Campbell,  died  at 
Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  in  1894. 

His  next  pastorate  was  at  Sharpsburg,  Pa.,  and  after- 
wards at  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Parkersburg,  W. 
Va.     These  three  pastorates  lasting  until  1874. 

During  these  years,  he  was  interested  in  education, 
and  being  offered  the  presidencj^  of  Highland  University, 
Kansas,  he  accepted  in  1874.  He  resumed  pastoral  work 
in  the  North  Church,  St.  Louis,  Mo  ,  where  he  labored  from 
1876  to  1880.  He  received  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity 
from  Wabash  College,  Ind.,  in  1877,  and  for  years  served 
as  director  of  that  college. 

When  he  came  here,  in  1880,  he  was  strong,  vigorous, 
handsome,  full  of  knowledge,  eager  for  work,  active  in 
every  department  of  the  church,  zealous  for  converts,  and 
successful  in  bringing  in  new  members,  more  additions  to 
this  church  having  been  made  under  his  pastorate  than 
any  other.  In  1889,  he  was  called  to  the  churches  of 
Berkeley,  Cal,  and  Trinity  Church,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  but 
declined  both  calls,  as  this  church  refused  to  consent  to 
his  request  for  the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  relations. 
As  things  turned  out,  it  was  providential  that  he  stayed 
here  among  his  friends,  for  in  the  winter  of  1890  his  health 
began  to  fail.  After  an  attack  of  la  grippe,  he  continued 
his  work  until  April,  1890.  Seven  years  later  we  came 
here  again,  in  April,  1897,  and  paid  the  last  tribute  of 
honor,  respect  and  affection,  and  laid  his  remains  in  beau- 
tiful Ferncliff.  His  youthful  inclination  to  the  law  made 
him  a  close  student  of  the  church  law,  and  his  thorough 
knowledge   of    Presbyterian    practice    gave    him    special 


PLATE  No.  4 


DR.  FALCONER  49 

prominence  in  the  church  courts.  He  was  once  chairman 
of  the  General  Assembly's  Committee  on  Home  Missionsi 
and  was  intensely  interested  in  that  work.  He  was  a  con- 
tributor to  the  press,  religious  and  secular,  being  on  the 
editorial  staff  of  the  St.  Louis  Evangelist,  and  corres- 
pondent of  the  Chicago  Interior. 

He  was  an  "all  'round,"  well  educated,  active  and  use- 
ful man.  As  a  pastor,  diligent  in  visiting  his  people,  in 
close  touch  with  their  secular  and  spiritual  progress.  He 
carried  out  Paul's  injunction  to  be  "all  things  to  all  men." 
Thus  he  worked  intensely,  using  up  his  physical  strength 
and  vigor  in  the  varied  work  of  a  pastor  in  a  large  congre- 
gation. He  was  especially  good  in  the  sick  room,  and 
always  helped  those  in  affliction. 

He  was  genial  in  social  life,  yet  not  what  would  be 
called  a  politic  person,  though  always  polite.  He  was 
frankness  itself  in  conversation  and  in  public  talks;  very 
outspoken,  though  if  his  quick  words  ever  gave  uninten- 
tional offense,  he  was  equally  prompt  and  candid  in  ex- 
planation. 

He  was  positive  in  his  statements,  and  well  able  to 
back  them  up;  firm,  exact  and  convincing  in  manner,  yet 
affable  and  considerate;  thoroughly  informed  on  any  sub- 
ject he  took  up;  his  apparent  abruptness  in  an  argument, 
was  because  he  knew  well  what  he  was  talking  about;  and 
if  one  questioned  his  accuracy,  his  only  thought  was  to  set 
you  straight  and  not  to  offend  nor  to  appear  superior.  His 
idea  was  to  get  right  on  things,  and  stand  on  the  rock-^ 
ribbed  truth. 

I  remember  the  advice  he  gave  to  one  who  discussed 
religious  matters  with  an  infidel,  and  that  was,  to  "admit 
nothing."  When  asked  if  he  would  not  admit  that  two 
and  two  make  four,  he  said,  "No,  because  I  can  see  when 
two  and  two  might  make  twenty-two." 


50  MEMORIALS 

This  was  characteristic  of  him;  the  truths  and  reali- 
ties of  life,  so  plainly  shown  in  the  Bible,  were  so  imbedded 
in  his  mind,  and  so  justified  by  all  his  experience,  that  he 
could  not  conceive  that  an  infidel  could  possibly  be  right, 
on  even  one  single  proposition,  which  could  be  made  the 
first  step  in  any  argument  in  the  direction  of  destroying 
any  part  of  the  Christian  belief. 

He  appeared  at  his  best  in  the  pulpit.  He  was  al- 
ways well  prepared,  used  notes,  and  usually  full  manu- 
script. His  sermons  were  finished  productions,  that  is, 
they  were  strong,  logical  and  conclusive.  His  diction  was 
accurate,  rather  than  polished.  He  made  very  few  flights 
of  flowery  language.  His  sentences  were  short,  crisp,  hard, 
not  long,  tedious  and  soft.  His  strokes  were  not  with  a 
toy  hammer,  but  rather  like  the  powder  pounder  in  the 
factory,  to  drive  home  the  solid  truth.  He  believed  God's 
truth  so  clearly  himself,  that  he  wanted  everybody  else  to 
realize  it  too,  and  he  gave  it  to  them  in  sledge  hammer 
blows,  which  is  not  a  bad  way  to  make  it  stick.  These 
qualities  made  him,  what  I  would  call  a  business  man's 
preacher,  and  business  men  were  his  greatest  admirers,  for 
they  want  facts,  hard  plain  facts,  clearl}^  stated,  properly 
connected,  with  a  logical  conclusion.  Such  sermons  were 
usual  with  Dr.  Falconer,  and  were  naturally  instructive, 
edifying  and  beneficial. 

His  preaching  opened  up  to  many  here  a  new  Bible, 
that  only  real  Book,  whose  depths,  heights,  and  extensions 
are  limited  only  by  infinity.  Yet  his  preaching  was  so  prac- 
tical, that  he  brought  close  to  our  human  nature  the  fact 
that  our  religion  is  for  every-day  life— adapted  to  every 
phase  of  life.  He  believed  in  conforming  practice  to 
preaching. 

One  of  his  first  inquiries  here  was  how  many  of  our 
members  live  up  to  their  profession?      That  is,  how  many 


DR.  PROUDFIT  51 

people  in  this  city  would  know  from  your  daily  life  that 
you  were  a  Christian,  and  as  to  how  many  other  members 
they  would  have  to  go  to  the  church  roll,  to  see  whether  they 
were  members  or  not?  He  believed  a  man  should  live  his 
religion  and  not  merely  profess  it. 

His  oratory  was  not  just  eloquent,  it  was  effective. 
His  thoughts  were  not  just  on  the  surface,  they  went  down 
to  the  realties.  His  sermons  were  not  just  to  occupy  the 
time  pleasantly,  but  to  expound  the  truth.  His  arguments 
were  not  just  for  admiration,  but  to  convince  you.  His 
applications  were  not  just  to  make  you  feel  good,  they  were 
aimed  to  make  you  really  good  and  to  live  better. 

His  deeds  live  after  him,  and  "  he  was  Presbyterian 
true  blue." 

IV.     Alexander  Proudfit  ' 

By  Dr.  Theodore  F.  Bliss 

If  I  were  gifted  of  speech,  I  would  think  it  a  special 
privilege  to  use  my  gifts  in  doing  honor  to  my  friend, 
Alexander  Proudfit.  In  this  house  and  to  this  people  elo- 
quence is  not  needed  to  please  the  ear,  it  is  from  the  heart 
that  words  come,  and  to  hearts  they  go,  when  we  think  or 
talk  of  this  man.  A  stranger  coming  to  the  door  of  this 
church  on  the  first  Sunday  afternoon  in  April,  1897,  and 
seeing  the  token  of  mourning,  and  asking,  for  whom  do  this 
people  mourn,  any  one  of  the  thousand  gathered  here, 
might  have  answered :  For  my  friend,  Dr.  Proudfit.  Dr. 
Proudfit  was  a  friend  that  we  all  loved,  and,  in  calling  him 
a  friend,  I  believe  I  name  the  most  prominent  trait  of  his 
character.  He  was  a  man  of  many  sides,  but  all  were 
transparent,  of  versatile  talents,  but  all  of  a  high  order.  It 
was  not  alone  with  the  members  of  his  church  that  he  at 
once  entered  into  intimate  personal  relationship.     There 


52  MEMORIALS 

was  a  subtle  magnetism  and  charm  that  attracted  the 
people  that  he  came  in  contact  with,  and  whether  it  was 
the  boy  that  polished  his  shoes,  the  porter  that  handled 
his  baggage,  the  business  man  that  sold  him  goods,  or  the 
stranger  that  he  met  in  society,  all  alike  felt  the  influence 
of  his  sympathetic  nature  and  became  his  friends. 
Another  side  of  his  character  was  that  of  a  Christian 
gentleman  without  guile,  without  ostentation,  without 
offensiveness,  his  every  act  was  evidence  of  his  belief  and 
trust  in  Christ,  and  that  his  one  desire  was  to  be  like  him. 
As  a  citizen  he  was  familiar  with  the  practical  duties  of 
a  citizen,  and  was  a  leader  in  every  good  work  in  the  com- 
munity. Quick  to  see  through  the  schemes  of  selfish  and 
designing  men,  he  was  not  easily  led  into  compromising 
situations  that  would  weaken  his  influence  as  a  minister, 
but  was  ever  foremost  in  his  efforts  to  suppress  crime  and 
immorality,  through  authorized  methods. 

Dr.  Proudfit's  life  work  was  that  of  a  minister  of  the 
Gospel  of  Christ.  And  this  motto  might  well  have  been 
graven  on  his  heart,  "Woe  is  me  if  I  preach  not  the 
Gospel,"  so  well  did  he  show  in  all  that  he  did  that  he  felt 
the  responsibility  of  his  position  as  a  pastor  and  a  teacher, 
and  it  was  enough  that  one  was  a  member  of  his  flock  for 
him  to  take  every  opportunity  to  do  him  good,  and  the 
more  needy  or  in  trouble  the  more  diligent  was  he  in  min- 
istering to  him. 

Dr.  Proudfit  entered  upon  his  ministry  in  this  church 
on  the  17th  day  of  February,  1895,  and  from  that  day  until 
his  work  ended  more  than  two  years  later  he  was  loved  and 
honored  by  every  one  in  any  way  connected  with  this  so- 
ciety, loved  as  a  pastor,  loved  as  a  friend,  loved  for  his  in- 
tense personal  devotion  to  the  spiritual  as  well  as  the 
temporal  affairs  of  this  people.  His  life  was  a  benediction, 
while  he  was  with  us,  and  we  only  think  of  him  as  gone 


DR.  PROUDFIT  53 

away  for  a  time,  and  the  wounds  in  our  hearts  are  too  fresh 
to  be  opened  again  at  this  time  of  rejoicing  with  thoughts 
of  pain  and  sadness.  It  is  the  living,  active,  faithful 
friend  and  pastor  that  we  honor  today,  and  whose  good 
deeds  we  recall  and  perpetuate. 

Dr.  Proudfit  was  born  in  1839  in  the  city  of  New  York. 
He  graduated  at  Rutges  College  in  1858  and  Princeton 
Seminary  in  1862,  receiving  the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity  from  Lafayette  College  in  1886.  From  his  child- 
hood the  foreign  mission  field  had  been  his  ambition,  and 
no  other  work  had  been  in  his  thoughts,  until  the  close  of 
his  Seminary  life,  but  the  call  of  his  country  roused  his 
patriotism  and  in  an  hour  he  laid  aside  the  dream  of  his 
youth,  and  went  to  Washington  and  offered  his  services  to 
the  President.  And,  although  there  was  no  vacancy  at 
that  time,  Mr.  Lincoln  saw  in  that  fearless  eye,  a  man  that 
the  countrj^  always  needs,  and  gave  him  a  Chaplain's 
commission  in  the  regular  army,  a  position  he  held  until 
the  close  of  the  war  in  September,  1865.  It  was  in  the 
army  that  he  received  that  training  that  gave  him  his  deep 
insight  into  the  needs  of  men  in  the  greatest  of  physical 
suffering  and  trial. 

After  his  discharge  from  the  army,  wearied  in  body 
and  mind,  a  year  of  foreign  travel  restored  his  health,  and 
again  brought  him  in  touch  with  the  world,  and  with  re- 
newed vigor  and  zeal  with  his  young  wife  he  went  to  Clay- 
ton, N.  J.,  to  a  people  that  needed  a  church  and  a  man.  To 
them  he  gave  twelve  3^ears  of  his  life,  full  of  ambition  and 
strength,  with  the  enthusiasm  of  youth  he  gathered  about 
him  a  score  of  young  men  and  women,  trained  them  in  all 
the  Christian  virtues,  and  the  score  became  seven  score, 
and  built  a  church  that  will  stand  as  his  monument  as  long 
as  one  stone  is  left  upon  another,  and  left  a  name  that  will 
live  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  for  generations.     Going 


54  MEMORIALS 

from  there  to  Hacketstown,  N.  J.,  to  a  large  church,  torn 
by  internal  dissensions,  he  soon  brought  order  out  of  con- 
fusion, peace  from  discontent,  and  added  to  his  name  the 
honor  of  reconciling  differences,  and  made  it  one  of  the 
strongest  churches  in  the  state.  After  six  years  he  took 
charge  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  in  Baltimore, 
and  gave  to  that  church  and  that  city  the  benefit  of  the 
ten  best  years  of  his  life.  Full  of  vigor,  matured  in  re- 
sources and  intellect,  he  at  once  became  one  of  the  most 
influential  pastors  of  that  cosmopolitan  city. 

It  would  be  needless  to  repeat  the  kind  things  that 
were  said  of  him  to  the  committee  from  this  church  in  that 
city,  but  one  thing  that  one  of  his  trustees  said  all  will  ap- 
preciate, that  after  ten  years'  residence  among  them  they 
had  been  unable  to  see  that  he  ever  showed  any  preference 
between  the  rich  and  the  poor  of  his  congregation. 

In  the  various  departments  of  church  work  he  seemed 
equally  at  home.  In  the  pulpit  he  taught  practical 
Christianty.  In  the  prayer  meeting  he  was  resourceful  and 
instructive,  at  the  bedside  he  was  a  tower  of  strength  and 
comfort,  with  the  3' oung  he  led  without  antagonism,  and  it 
was  enough  in  this  church  for  him  to  ask  and  it  was 
given. 

He  believed  that  the  Boards  were  the  authorized  ave- 
nues for  systematic  benovolence,  and  gave  with  a  liberal 
hand.  He  believed  in  meeting  men  at  their  places  of  busi- 
ness and  at  their  recreations.  In  the  literary  society,  in 
the  parlor,  or  the  club,  as  member,  host  or  guest,  he  was 
alike  at  home,  and  wherever  he  was,  he  added  a  charm  and 
dignity  to  the  place. 

Dr.  Proudfit  was  of  the  highest  order  of  Scotch  Pres- 
byterians. His  ancestors  had  been  in  the  ministry  for  two 
hundred  and  fifty  years.  He  had  behind  him  the  heredity 
of  teacher  and  leader.      Intellectually  strong  and  person- 


IV OMAN'S  IVORK  55 

ally  attractive,  every  move  in  his  life  had  been  a  step  up  to 
a  wider  field  and  new  opportunities.  The  army  gave  him 
his  wonderful  influence  with  the  sick  and  suffering.  His 
country  churches  brought  him  in  sympathy  with  the  peo- 
ple in  their  homes.  The  city  opened  up  a  broader  field  for 
service  as  a  citizen  and  a  pastor.  And  this  church,  to 
which  he  came  in  his  ripened  years,  full  of  wisdom,  love 
and  kindness,  he  gave  strength,  courage,  hope  and  an  ex- 
ample that  will  abide  in  our  hearts  as  long  as  we  may  live. 

Sunday  Evening 

The  Second  and  Third  Churches  uniting  with  us,  the 
auditorium  was  filled  to  overflowing.  Dr.  FuUerton  and 
Mr.  Thomson  took  part  in  the  devotional  service.  The 
hymns  sung  were,  A  Mighty  Fortress  is  Our  God;  On  Our 
Way,  Rejoicing;  God  of  Our  Fathers.  The  chorus  sang, 
Cantate  Domino,  by  Halley. 

The  first  paper  of  the  evening  was  on: 

THE  WORK  OF  THE  WOMEN 

By  Mrs.  Amaziah  Winger 
As  we  go  back  into  the  thirties  and  review  the  doings 
and  sayings  of  many  who  are  no  longer  with  us,  we  know 
the  history  we  are  making  will  live  as  well  as  theirs.  We 
have  no  records  of  the  earliest  days.  The  first  organized 
work  of  the  women  of  the  church,  of  which  we  know  definitely 
is  referred  to  in  a  letter  written  by  Mrs.  Galloway  in  1896  in 
reply  to  inquiries  made  by  Mrs.  David  King.  The  following 
are  some  extracts  from  this  letter:  "Concerning  the  organ- 
ization of  the  maternal  association,  I  will  give  you  the  facts 
as  I  recall  them.  One  Sabbath  morning  after  we  located 
in  Springfield  in  1832,  Mr.  Galloway  remarked  to  me, 
'  Wife,  I  will  ask  the  women  of  the  church  to  meet  Wednes- 
day   afternoon  at   the   parsonage,   to   organize   a   female 


56  MRS.  GALLOIVAY'S  LETTER 

prayer-meeting  to  be  held  weekly.'  I  at  once  exclaimed, 
'Oh,  who  will  lead  it.'  At  that  primitive  da3%  outside  of 
the  Methodist  and  Friends'  Churches,  women's  voices  were 
never  heard  in  speech  and  praj^er.  He  replied,  'You  all 
must  come  to  the  help  of  the  Lord.'  He  made  a  very 
earnest  appeal  to  the  women  of  the  church  as  to  their 
duty.  The  day  came,  and  with  it  seemingly  all  the  women 
of  the  church  came  to  see  and  hear  what  was  to  be  done. 
If  I  rightly  remember,  Mr.  Galloway  gave  a  short  talk  and 
prayed,  then  left  us.  The  duty  and  obligation  of  women 
in  this  matter  was  discussed  and  our  individual  duty  to 
organize  a  woman's  prayer  meeting  was  now  settled.  We 
agreed  to  meet  every  Wednesday  afternoon  at  some  one  of 
our  homes,  some  one  to  be  appointed  at  each  meeting  to 
lead  the  next  week,  usually  the  woman  at  whose  home  the 
meeting  was  held.  At  the  first  meeting  a  portion  of 
Scripture  was  read,  a  hymn  sung,  and  we  all  knelt  in 
prayer,  with  the  understanding  that  any  one  who  felt  so 
disposed  would  lead  in  pra3'er.  Mrs.  Nattinger,  a  most 
devout  and  godly  woman,  led  our  petitions.  So  the  ice 
was  broken,  and  several  very  earnest  praj^ers  followed.  I 
think  all  felt  that  it  was  good  thus  to  draw  near  to  our 
heavenly  Father,  our  covenant  keeping  God  and  Savior. 
Miss  Strong,  of  South  Hampton,  Mass.,  was  engaged  in 
teaching  a  select  school  in  Springfield.  She  gladly  joined 
our  praying  circle  and  ever  proved  a  host  in  herself.  She 
was  the  first  to  tell  us  of  the  maternal  association  of  the 
Congregational  churches  of  New  England.  At  one  of  our 
meetings  she  told  us  much  about  the  blessed  fruits  of  the 
maternal  meetings  in  New  England.  We  resolved  then, 
to  have  such  a  meeting,  and  requested  the  members  of  the 
praying  circle  to  come  to  our  next  meeting,  prepared  to 
consumate  the  matter.  We  drafted  our  constitution  after 
the  New  England  model.     The   constitution  of  our  little 


THE  MOTHERS  57 

society  was  very  simple  in  its  outline.  After  explaining 
the  nature  and  design  of  our  meetings,  we  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions :  First,  that  we  covenant  ourselves  to- 
gether as  mothers,  to  meet  the  first  Wednesday  of  each 
month  for  prayer  to  our  Father  God  for  the  conversion  of 
our  dear  children.  Second,  the  first  Wednesday  of  every 
third  month  will  be  Children's  Day,  the  little  ones  who  are 
old  enough  will  be  brought  to  the  meeting.  They  will 
recite  Scripture  verses,  the  catechism  and  hymns,  with  ex- 
ercises suited  to  the  various  ages.  Of  the  original  mem- 
bers of  the  mothers'  meeting,  I  recall  Mrs.  Nattinger,  Mrs. 
Laura  and  Martha  Christie,  Mrs.  Ward,  Mrs.  Spencer, 
Mrs.  Coles  and  many,  many  others.  Soon  after  our  organ- 
ization, our  dear  Mrs.  King,  Mrs.  Murray,  Mrs.  Kurtz,  and 
many  more  came  to  Springfield." 

All  along  these  years  the  work  was  growing  in  the  de- 
voted and  loyal  hearts  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Galloway,  as  well 
as  in  the  hearts  of  the  consecrated  women  of  this  church. 
Maternal  meetings  and  both  home  and  foreign  missions  in 
that  early  day  went  together.  Special  days  were  set  apart 
for  prayer,  and  a  little  girl  in  India,  named  Belinda  Gallo- 
way, was  the  object  of  their  care.  This  is  the  only  record 
we  have  of  special  foreign  missionary  work.  The  maternal 
meetings  covered  a  period  of  nine  years,  from  1839  to  1848. 
At  the  opening  of  the  records  we  have,  the  association  was 
five  years  old,  and  it  continued  twelve  or  fifteen  years  later. 
The  records  give  the  names  of  the  mothers  as  well  as  their 
children,  twenty-five  mothers  and  one  hundred  and  forty 
children.  In  this  church  this  CA^ening  are  many  whose 
names  are  on  this  roll  of  honor,  and  many  happy  to  call 
them,  mother.  Prayer  was  their  soul's  sincere  desire,  the 
woman's  work  of  this  church  would  not  be  what  it  is  today 
had  not  the  home  and  church  been  the  apple  of  their  eye. 

It  is  sixty  years  since  mission  work  was  commenced 


ft8  YOUNG  IVOMEN'S  MEETING 

in  this  church.  From  1849  to  1861  we  have  no  record  of 
the  work,  but  we  know  very  much  must  have  been  done. 
In  1853  a  Young  Woman's  prayer  meeting  was  organized 
and  led  by  them.  In  1861  the  treasurer's  report  of  a  social 
circle  was  given,  which  I  will  give  in  this,  as  it  will  be  of 
interest  to  many  who  are  now  with  us. 

''Report  of  the   Treasurer  of  the  Ladies  Social  Circle  of  the  First 
Preshjyterian  Church  for  the  year  ending  Dec.  20,  '61. 

"Since  December,  1860,  there  have  been  eighteen 
meetings  of  this  society.  The  places  of  meeting  and  the 
amounts  received  at  each  meeting  were  as  follows:  Mrs. 
Mason,  $8.20,  Mrs.  Bechtle,  $9.34,  Mrs.  Teegarden,  $10.32, 
Mrs.  Dunlap,  $13,  Mrs.  John  H.  Thomas,  $7.31,  Mrs. 
Thompson,  $10.15,  Mrs.  Starrett,  $7.10,  Mrs.  T.  F.  McGrew, 
$5.05,  Mrs.  A.  C.  Black,  $10  67,  Mrs.  Buckingham,  $7.65, 
Mrs.  Sharon,  $5.49,  Mrs.  Wallace,  $10.35,  Mrs.  King,  $4.71, 
Mrs.  R.  Q.  King,  $4.32,  Mrs.  McCreight,  $2.10,  Mrs.  Hunt, 
$5.32,  Mrs.  Scovel,  $11.17,  Mrs.  Steele,  $9.54;  these  meet- 
ings were  held  in  the  homes.  The  whole  amount  raised 
during  the  year  was  $140.13.  The  money  had  been  appro- 
priated to  various  purposes.  In  February,  $20  was  sent  to 
Kansas;  the  same  month  $10.65  was  expended  for  a  dress- 
ing gown  for  our  pastor.  October  11,  gave  Mrs.  Sharon 
$10  for  3^arn  for  the  soldiers,  Mr.  Scovel  $5  for  a  mission 
in  Cincinnati,  Mr,  Gray  $10  to  buy  Testaments  for  the 
soldiers  of  the  44th  Regiment.  November  17,  paid  Mr. 
Black  $17.32  for  yarn  and  flannel  to  be  used  for  the  soldiers. 
April  25th,  gave  Mr.  Jesse  Christie  $40  at  ^%  to  be  returned 
when  needed.  We  have  in  the  treasury  $14.58.  Augusta 
Steele,  Treas." 

From  1861  to  1871  very  much  work  was  done.  During 
the  war  most  of  it  was  for  the  comfort  of  the  soldiers.  In 
1866  active  work  was  again  commenced  under  the  pastorate 


THE  IVORKING  SOCIETY  59 

of  Dr.  Thomas  FuUerton.     A  new  organ  was  bought  and 
the  church  cleaned. 

Mrs.  T.  F.  McGrew  and  Mrs.  John  H.  Thomas  each 
served  a  number  of  years  as  president,  working  with  great 
zeal  and  faithfulness.  Mrs.  McGrew,  the  senior  member 
of  our  church,  in  speaking  of  the  work,  wished  she  could 
give  the  names  of  all  who  were  so  faithful,  as  well  as  the 
dates  when  so  much  was  accomplished,  but  a  careful  record 
was  not  kept  at  that  time,  although  much  was  brought  to 
mind  of  a  cherished  past. 

The  same  can  be  said  of  Mrs.  Thomas,  who  inspired 
every  one  with  enthusiasm,  and  never  allowed  failure  in  any 
line  of  work.  The  good  done  by  the  Woman's  Christian 
Working  Society  of  this  church  can  never  be  told.  Organ- 
ized in  1874,  after  so  many  efforts  to  have  the  foreign  work 
made  a  success  by  a  large  attendance  and  interest  in  the 
cause  of  missions. 

The  object  of  the  society  was,  first,  to  conduct  socials; 
second,  to  promote  a  spirit  of  missions;  third,  to  contribute 
funds  for  home  and  foreign  missions;  fourth,  to  call  upon 
strangers;  fifth,  to  visit  the  sick  and  afflicted;  sixth,  to 
help  the  poor  and  needy;  seventh,  to  bring  in  new  scholars 
to  the  Sabbath  School;  eighth,  to  promote  the  cause  of 
temperance;  ninth,  to  co-operate  with  and  assist  our  pastor 
in  doing  general  missionary  work,  and  whatever  we  can  to 
advance  the  cause  of  our  Redeemer  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  our  church,  as  well  as  by  individual  effort. 

The  officers  were  president,  vice-president,  secretary 
and  treasurer.  Miss  Mary  L.  Willard,  now  Mrs.  James 
Beach,  was  an  officer  for  a  number  of  years,  and  later  a 
presbyterial  officer. 

In  looking  over  the  past,  a  long  line  of  names,  recalling 
precious  memories,  will  one  by  one  come  up  before  me. 
Mrs.  Thomas,  in  speaking  of  these  said :      "There  is  so 


60  GENERAL  ACTIVITIES 

much  in  all  this  that  is  sacred  and  helpful  in  the  past,  that 
one  knows  not  where  to  begin  or  end.  Volumes  could  be 
written  by  us  who  loved  the  work  and  enjoyed  speaking  of 
it.     It  is  work  now,  then  rest  and  reward." 

Mrs.  T.  F.  McGrew  was  president  for  six  or  eight  years, 
and  Mrs.  Thomas  for  six  years.  Both  these  never  knew 
what  failure  meant.  Our  vice-president  was  Mrs  McKnight; 
Miss  Snyder,  afterwards  Mrs.  Baker,  secretary  and  treas- 
urer of  the  home  work,  and  Mrs.  Winger  foreign  secretary 
and  treasurer.  When  Mrs.  McGrew  appointed  a  committee 
to  do  work,  she  expected  it  to  be  done,  and  would  inquire 
at  the  next  meeting,  if  the  children  were  not  in  the  Sabbath 
School,  why  they  were  not,  and  why  certain  things  had  not 
been  done. 

A  few  among  the  many  who  had  been  efficient  were 
Mrs  E.  P.  Christie,  Mrs.  Jas.  DriscoU,  Mrs.  R.  Q.  King, 
Mrs.  A.  C.  Black,  Mrs.  Cumback,  and  a  host  of  others  who 
were  always  ready  at  all  times  to  work  in  the  church.  Mrs. 
McGrew  delights  to  recall  four  young  ladies  who  had  done 
excellent  work  in  raising  raone}^  for  the  organ.  Miss  Lyda 
Torbert,  who  has  answered  the  call  to  come  up  higher,  Miss 
Baldwin,  now  Mrs.  S.  F.  McGrew,  Miss  Emma  Barr,  now 
Mrs.  Geo.  Scholl,  of  Baltimore,  and  Miss  Belle  Scovel,  now 
Mrs.  Jas.  Barnett,  of  Louisana.  Early  and  late  they  would 
work  until  they  accomplished  their  mission. 

Mrs.  Thomas  has  similar  recollections  of  her  term  of 
office.  Much  had  to  be  recalled  from  memory,  as  the  book 
containing  the  minutes  can  not  be  found,  such  as  the  de- 
lightful afternoons  and  evenings  spent  in  the  homes  of 
those  who  were  interested  and  active  in  the  work,  doing  all 
kinds  of  sewing  and  mending  for  the  poor.  The  husbands 
were  invited  to  supper,  and  all  spent  a  delightful  social 
evening.  Those  good  old  times  are  sacred  to  the  young 
hearts,  though  old  in  years.     A  noteworthy  feature  of  their 


MISSIONARY  WORK  61 

work  was  the  fair  at  the  old  city  hall,  lasting  one  week, 
when  they  cleared  $1,300  for  the  furnishing  of  the  church. 
We  wish  we  could  give  the  names  of  all  who  took  part  in 
that  work. 

The  year  1871  was  an  eventful  one.  Dr.  Cain  organ- 
ized the  Foreign  Missionary  Society.  Mrs.  T.  F.  McGrew 
was  the  chairman  of  the  meeting.  The  officers  elected  were 
Mrs.  J.  B.  Wertz,  President,  Mrs.  Geo.  Spence,  Secretary? 
and  Mrs.  Am.  Winger,  Treasurer. 

We  must  confess  the  beginnings  were  discouraging. 
Our  magazie,  Womans'  Work,  was  taken  by  very  few.  In 
1873  we  sent  our  first  contribution  to  Woodstock  in 
India,  a  resting  place  for  our  missionaries  and  their  chil- 
dren. Our  first  contribution  was  $300,  the  gatherings  of 
'72  and  '73.  In  all  our  missionary  work  we  had  our  eye  on 
this  one  command:  "Go  ye,  and  teach  all  nations."  That 
means  not  only  in  our  own  land,  but  in  all  lands,  then  the 
promise,  "lam  with  you."  As  this  command  and  promise 
were  ever  with  us  we  went  forward,  and  today  we  rejoice  that 
we  have  been  educated  in  missions,  and  instead  of  making 
us  narrow  minded,  it  makes  us  intelligent  and  educated 
and  unselfish  christians.  Our  Foreign  Missionary  Society 
is  twenty-nine  years  old.  The  Philadelphia  Society,  the 
parent,  being  only  one  year  older  than  ours.  I  think  I  am 
safe  in  saying  that  we  are  one  year  older  than  any  other  in 
the  State  of  Ohio. 

In  1874  the  mission  work  was  more  completely  organ- 
ized under  the  name  of  the  Home  and  Foreign  Missionary 
Society,  all  the  other  work  of  the  church  came  under  the 
care  of  the  Local  Aid. 

Mrs.  W.  C.  Downey  was  the  prime  mover  and  president 
of  the  Local  Aid.  When  we  speak  to  her  of  the  success  of 
her  work,  she  always  says:  "I  had  such  good  help  in  Mrs. 
Sue  Hunt,  Mrs.  Cumback,  Mrs.  Crowell,  Mrs.  W.  P.  Smith, 


62  LOCAL  AID 

Mrs.  Vance  and  so  many,  many  others."  The  local  Aid 
Society  has  accomplished  very  much  in  many  lines  of  work, 
including  the  general  care  of  the  furnishings  of  the  build- 
ing and  social  life  of  the  church,  and  it  is  very  much  to  its 
credit  that  it  has  raised  so  much  money  without  socials  or 
sales.  The  present  officers  of  the  Local  Aid  are,  Mrs.  J.  S. 
Crowell,  president,  Mrs.  J.  K.  Black,  first  vice-president, 
Mr.  J.  W.  Murphy,  second  vice-president,  Mr.  J.  T.  Rice, 
secretarj^,  and  Mrs.  W.  H.  Griffith,  treasurer. 

At  our  Silver  Anniversary  in  '96  I  gave  a  full  account 
of  our  work  year  after  year  and  the  growth  of  our  own,  as 
well  as  the  parent  society.  We  called  the  roll  of  1871  when 
we  had  one  hundred  names;  how  few  stood  up  in  answer  to 
the  call.  That  silver  anniversary  was  a  thanksgiving  day. 
It  was  not  only  a  silver  anniversary,  but  golden,  for  there 
had  been  fifty  years  of  work  and  service. 

Our  foreign  presidents  during  the  twenty-nine  years 
were  Mrs.  Wertz,  Mrs.  McKnight,  Mrs.  Cushman,  Mrs.  E. 
P.  Christie,  Mrs.  R.  Q.  King,  Mrs.  C.  C.  Fried,  Mrs.  Mun- 
son,  Mrs.  J.  S.  Crowell,  Miss  Mary  S.  Dunlap,  all  living 
but  Mrs.  Cushman.  Miss  Dunlap  went  abroad  before  the 
close  of  the  year,  her  place  being  temporarily  supplied  until 
its  close.  Since  our  anniversary  Mrs.  Fried  and  Mrs.  M.  L. 
Milligan  have  been  our  presidents.  Mrs.  Cushman  is  the 
only  one  that  has  left  us  to  answer  the  call  come  up  higher. 
Had  I  the  time  I  could  speak  lovingly  and  tenderly  of  all 
who  have  led  us  since  Mrs.  Galloway.  Mrs.  Burt  was  her 
successor,  then  Mrs,  Findlay,  Mrs.  Scovel,  Mrs,  T.  Fuller- 
ton,  Mrs.  Cain,  Mrs.  McKnight,  Mrs.  Falconer,  Mrs. 
Proudfit,  Mrs.  Hill,  and  could  we  say  "Mrs.  Murphy," 
that  would  make  our  number  ten. 

Mrs.  Scovel  is  the  only  one  taken  from  this  number  by 
death.  We  revere  her  memory.  Since  hearing  Dr.  Scovel 
this  morninoj,  so  much  he  said  awakens  tender  feelings  of  a 


MONTHLY  PRAYER  63 

delightful  past.  Mrs.  Caroline  Woodruff  Scovel  was  born 
at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  10,  February,  1837,  died  at  Wooster, 
Ohio,  20,  December,  1898. 

Mrs.  Burt  is  still  with  us,  and  to  her  we  can  go  for 
counsel  and  have  the  benefit  of  her  ripe  experience.  First, 
the  wife  of  the  pastor  of  our  church,  then  the  mother  of  the 
second,  and  now  grandmother  of  the  third,  and  an  active 
worker  as  well  as  officer  in  the  Woman's  Christian  Asso- 
ciation and  Clark  Memorial  Home  for  Aged  Women.  She 
is  fully  identified  with  all  kinds  of  benevolent  work.  We 
trust  her  life  will  be  spared  and  that  we  may  enjoy  her 
presence  for  years  to  come. 

Our  watchword  has  ever  been  "Onward"  and  that  we 
could  not  do  without  prayer.  A  monthly  prayer  meeting 
was  reorganized  in  1892.  The  first  meeting  of  this  kind 
was  during  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Thomas  FuUerton,  prob- 
ably in  1868.  Many  aojed  women  felt  the  heat  of  summer 
and  the  cold  of  winter  and  many  of  the  younger  mothers 
did  not  feel  the  necessity  for  a  meeting  for  prayer.  Dr. 
FuUerton  was  consulted  regarding  these  meetings,  and 
recommended  them  heartily,  saying,  he  did  not  feel  as  safe  in 
a  church  that  had  not  its  woman's  prayer  meeting.  We  have 
no  record  of  these  meetings,  but  they  continued  but  a  short 
time.  Our  next  effort  in  behalf  of  a  meeting  of  this  kind 
was  in  1887,  while  Dr.  Falconer  was  our  pastor.  These 
gatherings  were  very  small  and  we  held  but  few,  but 
mothers  offered  fervent  prayers  for  their  children.  A  few 
meetings  were  held  before  our  Wednesday  evening  prayer 
meetings,  but  that  time  did  not  seem  convenient  to  many. 
The  following  fall  we  discussed  the  matter  with  more  zeal 
than  before,  Mrs.  Wertz  offered  her  home  for  our  prayer 
meeting.  The  first  one  was  held  in  March,  1892.  Ever 
since  then  the  meetings  have  been  held  at  Mrs.  King's,  and 
her  room,  she  says,  is  never  occupied  b}^  more  honored  guests. 


64  VISITING  MISSIONARIES 

1  will  give  you  a  few  of  the  subjects  of  those  meetings: 
Sabbath  Desecration,  Following  Christ,  United  Prayer, 
The  Christian's  Old  Age. 

We  have  had  with  us  a  number  of  missionaries.  Mrs. 
Calhoun  from  Syria,  Miss  Noyes  from  China,  Miss  Rankin 
from  Mexico;  all  these  at  one  time  in  Springfield.  A  num- 
ber of  others  have  been  here  at  different  times  and  we 
never  saw  a  gloomy  or  discouraged  missionary.  Mrs- 
Okama,  our  medical  missionary,  having  been  supported 
by  our  Dayton  Presbyterial,  has  done  excellent  work.  Then 
we  have  our  own  missionary,  Miss  Jessie  Dunlap.  We  will 
never  forget  her  visit  to  her  home  land,  after  many  years 
of  separation.  Her  face  was  all  sunshine  when  she  told  of 
her  work  and  the  thought  of  going  back  to  India.  She  was 
a  member  of  the  Band  of  Willing  Workers  of  this  church. 

Eighty  years  of  work  in  this  church,  nearly  thirty  of 
woman's  organized  mission  work  and  girls'  mission  band 
work,  much  of  which  guided  by  Miss  Belle  M.  Brain.  How 
much  there  is  in  all  this,  and  how  well  for  us  that  our 
gifts  have  been  free  will  offerings.  We  have  given  .$10,000 
during  these  years,  and  as  we  close  this  paper,  let  us  say 
and  believe  "As  I  live  every  knee  shall  bow  to  me  and 
every  tongue  shall  confess  to  God."  And  in  that  da}^  we 
shall  join  the  great  multitude,  sajdng,  "Let  us  be  glad  and 
rejoice  and  give  honor  to  him,  for  the  marriage  of  the  lamb 
is  come,  and  his  wife  hath  made  herself  read}^" 


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PLATE  No.  6 


THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  65 


THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL 

By  John  S.  Crowell 

The  Sunday  School  of  this  church  is  first  mentioned 
in  an  official  way  in  the  Session  Records  dated,  27,  Feb., 
1830,  in  connection  with  a  church  trial.  Several  witnesses 
testifying  to  the  fact  that  Miss  Francis  L.  Frazier  attended 
Sunday  School  on,  21,  Dec,  1829,  and  was  preparing  supper 
shortly  after  returning  home  from  Sunday  School.  This 
would  indicate  that  the  Sunday  School  held  its  sessions  in 
the  afternoon.  From  another  source  we  learn  that  the 
school  was  organized  in  August,  1829. 

In  a  paper  written  by  Mr.  Wolcot  Spencer  for  the 
Fiftieth  Sunday  School  Anniversary,  in  April,  1879,  Mr. 
Spencer  says  that  he  came  to  the  village  of  Springfield  in 
March,  1829.  The  mud  was  so  deep  that  it  was  with  diffi- 
culty a  horse  could  wade  through.  In  reference  to  the 
organization  of  this  Sunday  School  Mr.  Spencer  says  that 
the  subject  was  agitated  in  the  early  part  of  the  summer  of 
1829,  but  nothing  definite  was  done  until  the  middle  of 
July,  when  at  a  meeting  of  a  few  earnest  friends  it  was 
decided  to  start  a  Sunday  School.  Some  of  the  good  Chris- 
tian did  not  give  any  encouragement  to  the  school,  and  a 
few  really  opposed  it.  The  school  was  organized  on  the 
first  Sabbath  of  August,  1829.  Mr.  James  L.  Torbett  was 
chosen  superintendent  and  Mr.  Wolcott  Spencer  was  chosen, 
secretary.  The  school  had,  at  its  organization,  about  eight 
or  ten  teachers  and  about  sixty  scholars,  but  no  record  has 
been  found  of  the  names  of  either  teachers  or  scholars. 
Mr.  Torbett  resigned  as  superintendent  before  the  year  was 
out,  and  Mr.  Spencer  was  elected  to  take  his  place,  and  he 


66  FIRST  SUhlDAY  SCHOOLS 

held  the  position  for  eight  or  ten  years.  Twenty  dollars 
were  contributed  to  commence  a  library.  The  school  met 
for  a  few  Sabbaths  in  the  unfurnished  rooms  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  two  or  three  Sabbaths  in  an  old 
building,  a  little  west  of  the  church,  that  had  been  used  as 
a  blacksmith  shop,  and  several  times  in  the  old  Methodist 
Church,  until  the  new  Presbyterian  Church  was  so  far  com- 
pleted that  the  Sunday  School  could  meet  there  regularly. 

History  states  that  in  the  early  days  of  this  century, 
no  attention  was  paid  to  the  education  of  the  children  in 
the  settlement;  loose,  unrestrained  habits,  drunkenness 
and  lawlessness  prevailed.  The  town  was  in  danger  of 
becoming  a  center  of  vice  and  wickedness  for  much  of  the 
surrounding  country.  Rough,  lawless  men  and  desperadoes 
loitered  around  the  public  houses,  drinking,  swearing  and 
quarreling.  Horse  racing  was  a  common  amusement,  while 
gambling  was  open  and  unrestrained.  A  pitcher  of  whiskey 
was  a  necessary  adjunct  to  the  water  pitcher  on  the  counters 
of  the  stores,  for  the  free  use  of  all  customers.  The  profes- 
sors of  religion,  as  well  as  the  man  of  the  country,  indulged 
in  whiskey  with  the  same  freedom. 

This  gives  an  idea  of  the  condition  of  Springfield  for  a 
number  of  years  previous  to  the  organization  of  this  Sun- 
day School,  but  an  effort  was  made  to  stem  this  tide  of  evil 
in  1818,  by  that  active  Methodist  preacher,  the  Rev.  Saul 
Henkle.  This  was  eleven  years  previous  to  the  organiza- 
tion of  this  Sunday  School  and  one  year  before  this  church 
was  organized.  Mr.  Henkle  gathered  together  a  few  of  the 
good  men  and  women  of  the  place  and  formed  an  associa- 
tion, the  object  of  which  was  to  abandon  the  use  of  intoxi- 
cating liquors  themselves  and  induce  others  to  do  the  same. 

No  doubt  the  efforts  of  the  Methodists  in  this  direction 
were  aided  by  the  Presbyterians,  and  the  combined  efforts 
of  both  denominations  through  Church  and  Sunday  School 


FOURTH  OF  JULY,  1842  67 

work  was  having  its  effect,  for  history  states  that  in  1840 
"a  change  is  observable  in  the  character  and  habits  of  the 
people.  The  primitive  methods  of  life,  the  uncouth,  uncul- 
tivated manners  of  the  pioneers,  disappeared  with  the 
forests.  There  is  a  higher  regard  for  morals  and  a  stricter 
observance  of  the  Sabbath,  while  daily  brawls  have  grown 
less  frequent.  The  dress  of  the  citizen,  his  intercourse 
with  his  fellows,  and  social  relations  are  toned  with  a 
higher  culture  and  correspond  to  the  civilization  to  which 
they  have  attained," 

I  made  dilligent  efforts  to  obtain  facts  or  records  in 
reference  to  the  Sunday  School  after  1829  but  could  not 
find  any  complete  records  for  nearly  fifty  years,  between 
1829  and  1877. 

I  learned  from  trustworthy  sources  that  Mr.  David 
Cooper  was  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School,  also  Mr. 
Alexander  Runyan,  Mr.  Robt.  Schultz  and  Edward  M. 
Doty,  but  could  not  learn  when;  Mr.  Cyrus  A.  Phelps  was 
Superintendent  from  1858  to  1860  when  he  joined  the 
second  church  colony.  Mr.  S.  F.  Edgar  was  Superintendent 
for  three  years,  from  April  1869  to  April  1872;  Mr.  T.  F. 
McGrew  was  Superintendent  in  1872  and  1873. 

We  have  a  badge  worn  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Mulholland,  at 
that  time  a  member  of  this  Sunday  School,  at  a  picnic, 
4,  July,  1842,  when  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Galloway  was  pastor  of 
the  Church,  and  Mr.  James  Christie  was  Superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  School.  The  words'  "July  4, 1842,"  are  printed 
on  the  badge  in  black  gothic  type,  one-half  inch  high.  A 
large  eagle  carries  a  streamer  on  which  is  printed  "  Presby- 
terian Sabbath  School."  The  following  verse  is  printed 
above  the  eagle: 

"  Our  country's  cause,  the  Church's  hope, 
Rest  safely  with  our  youth, 
When  virtue's  laws  are  treasured  up 
In  minds  well  stored  with  truth." 


68  OUR  SOLDIERS 

In  1861  fourteen  young  men,  brave  and  loyal,  went 
from  this  Sunday  School  to  battle  for  the  honor,  the  integ- 
rity and  existence'  of  our  National  Union.  Their  names 
were  James  P.  Galloway,  William  Galloway,  Ed.  P.  Christie, 
Harroll  Christie,  James  Christie,  S.  J.  Houck,  David  King, 
W.  W.  Whitty,  Brainerd  Lathrop,  J.  B.  Brandt,  R.  D.  Evans, 
Charles  Evans,  Dr.  A.  A.  Blount  and  D.  W.  Todd.  All  of 
these  were  permitted  to  return  alive  except  Brainerd  Lathrop 
who  was  killed  by  a  shell. 

These  young  men  were  missed  in  the  Sunday  School 
class,  the  church  pew,  the  choir  and  the  prayer  meeting; 
and  in  their  homes  the  vacant  chair  daily  reminded 
anxious  mothers,  fathers,  sisters  and  brothers,  of  the 
dangers  and  hardships  of  camp  life  and  battlefield. 

The  custom  of  celebrating  the  anniversary  of  the  or- 
ganization of  the  school  began  in  1862.  On  these  oc- 
casions, as  now,  reports  were  read,  rewards  presented,  and 
a  happy  evening  spent,  ending  with  a  feast  of  good  things. 
We  find  occasional  records  that  are  of  special  interest  to 
us  now.  In  the  report  given  by  the  Daily  Republic,  of  the 
anniversary  of  1868,  it  is  said  that  "Willie  McMeen,  Willie 
Weir  and  Willie  Thomas  with  fourteen  others  were  each 
awarded  a  prize  for  reciting  ten  verses  of  the  Bible  every 
Sabbath  of  the  j^ear." 

This  school  has  two  teachers  worthy  to  be  likened 
unto  pillars.  A  pillar  is  an  emblem  of  stability,  of  firm- 
ness and  fidelity  to  duty.  Mr.  H.  H.  Cumback  and  Mr. 
Wm.  W.  Whitty  are  two  such  pillars.  They  are  like  the 
alabaster  pillars  I  have  seen  at  St.  Mark's,  in  Venice — firm 
and  durable  as  granite,  and  yet  transparent,  so  that  the 
light  glows  through  them.  For  thirt3^-five  years  Mr.  Cum- 
back has  been  one  of  the  main  supports  of  the  school,  two 
years  as  superintendent  and  thirty-three  j-ears  as  teacher! 
Mr.  Whitty  has  been  equally  faithful,  having  served  about 


LONG  SERVICE  69 

thirty  years  and  having  missed  but  very  few  Sundays  in 
all  these  years.  Other  notable  periods  of  service  as  teach- 
ers are:  Mr.  J.  B.  Wertz,  44  years;  Miss  Jennie  King,  25; 
Mr.  John  T.  Rice,  24;  Mr.  A.  R.  Cobaugh,  22;  Miss  Emma- 
Torbert,  over  20.  There  are  undoubtedly  other  similar 
cases,  but  details  are  unknown  from  lack  of  records.  Mr. 
W.  H.  Weir  served  as  superintendent  and  assistant  for 
twelve  years,  to  which  is  to  be  added  fourteen  j^ears'  ser- 
vice as  a  teacher. 

Since  1881  the  records  give  more  details.  In  that 
year  Mr.  G.  C.  Hall  was  elected  superintendent  and  Mr.  J. 
S.  Crowell  as  assistant.  Some  one  must  have  had  very 
little  confidence  in  the  new  officers,  for  a  motion  was 
adopted  to  appoint  a  committee  consisting  of  the  pastor 
and  two  elders,  *'to  notify  the  newly  elected  officers  of 
their  election  and  to  urge  upon  them  active,  earnest  and 
aggressive  effort  for  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  the  Sun- 
day school."  Such  a  resolution  was  never  offered  before 
nor  since,  and  as  I  never  heard  of  it  until  looking  up  the 
records,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  when  the  committee 
began  to  think  over  the  resolution,  their  backbone  weak- 
ened and  the  message  was  never  delivered. 

When  these  two  officers  took  charge  of  the  school,  the 
average  attendance  for  the  previous  year,  each  Sabbath 
was  172,  and  the  average  attendance  for  the  last  j^ear  that 
Mr.  Hall  was  here,  was  273  each  Sabbath,  an  increase  of 
101  each  Sabbath  up  to  16,  April,  1885.  Mr.  Hall  re- 
mained until,  13,  Sept.,  1885.  After  Mr.  Hall  left  the  at- 
tendance continued  to  increase,  and  averaged  285  each 
Sabbath  for  the  next  quarter,  and  301  each  Sabbath  for 
the  second  quarter,  an  increase  in  average  attendance  of 
59  each  Sabbath,  over  the  same  three  months  of  the 
previous  year.  The  last  month  in  which  I  served  as 
superintendent,  the  attendance  averaged  351  each  Sabbath, 


70  THE  CHINESE  SCHOOL 

an  increase  over  the  same  month  of  the  previous  year  of  62 
each  Sabbath,  individual  Sabbaths  numbering  351,  364  and 
372  each  Sabbath.  The  records  for  many  subsequent 
years  show  great  activity  in  every  department.  The 
amounts  raised  for  missions  were  very  large,  sometimes 
being  over  $300,  with  a  similar  amount  expended  for  local 
work. 

The  average  attendance  in  many  of  these  years  was 
about  275.  In  1886,  it  was  297.  The  reports  of  1885 
show  that  thirty-three  from  the  Sunday  school  became 
communicants  during  the  year. 

The  Chinese  department  of  our  Sunday  school  work 
was  started  on  12,  Nov.,  1882,  with  ten  Chinamen  and  ten 
teachers.  It  was  carried  on  for  six  years.  There  were  at 
one  time  about  twenty-five  scholars. 

This  school  was  started  through  the  efforts  of  Mr. 
David  King,  who  kept  up  correspondence  with  some  of  its 
former  scholars  after  their  return  to  China,  giving  en- 
couraging evidence  of  the  good  accomplished. 

The  year  1890  was  a  memorable  one,  Mr.  Cushing 
being  superintendent,  when  thirty-six  members  of  the  Sun- 
day school  were  received  into  the  communion  of  the 
church.  So  far  as  can  be  ascertained  this  is  the  largest 
number  received  from  the  Sunday  school  in  any  one  year 
of  its  history. 

The  Primary  Department  was  organized  in  1849  with 
Mrs.  R.  H.  Smith  as  teacher.  She  was  succeeded  next 
year  by  Mrs.  Isaac  Ward,  more  familiarly  known  as 
Auntie  Ward.  She  was  assisted  by  Miss  Jane  Hunt,  Mrs. 
James  Christie  and  others,  until  1861,  when  Mrs.  David 
King,  Sr.,  and  Miss  Hunt  took  charge.  Miss  Maria  Steele 
had  charge  from  1862  till  1869.  Mrs.  David  King  suc- 
ceeded her  and  continued  until  1876.  While  Mrs.  King 
had  charge,  the  department  was  divided  into  nine  classes. 


THE  PRIMARY  DEPARTMENT  71 

When  Miss  Amanda  Dunlap  became  the  superintendent, 
in  1876,  she  resumed  the  one  class  plan  and  had  one  or  two 
assistants.  One  of  these  was  the  faithful  and  efficient 
Miss  Torbert,  who  is  still  connected  with  the  class. 

Mrs.  Mary  C.  Clarke  was  superintendent  from  1879 
till  1897,  serving  with  much  zeal  and  wisdom.  Mrs.  King 
remained  until  1892. 

In  1897  the  class  plan  was  resumed  with  Miss  Nellie 
Barrett  as  superintendent,  assisted  by  Mrs.  I.  F.  McNally, 
Miss  Torbert,  Miss  Mary  Brain,  Miss  Heckman  and  others. 

The  Sunday  School  of  1829  was  vastly  different  from 
that  of  today.  There  was  no  Children's  Day  in  June  to 
bring  children  and  parents  together  in  one  delightful  meet- 
ing. No  Juvenile  or  Young  Peopl's  Societies  whose  object 
it  is  to  interest  and  instruct  the  youth  in  the  subject  of 
missions,  temperance  and  church  work.  They  had  no 
lesson  helps  or  illustrated  Sunday  School  papers,  no  illumi- 
nated scripture  texts,  or  large  wall  illustrations  of  the 
lessons,  no  object  lessons  given  on  the  black  board,  no 
Anniversaries  where  the  chilnren  delighted  their  parents 
with  their  songs  and  recitations  and  were  in  turn  feasted 
upon  ice  cream,  cakes,  fruits  and  candies.  No  Christmas 
entertainments  with  a  visit  of  Santa  Claus  and  the  many 
strange  and  wonderful  presents,  for  that  innovation  was 
first  introduced  into  this  Sunday  School  in  the  year  1884, 
when  I  was  Assistant  Superintendent.  The  Session  Records 
show  that  some  members  of  the  church  appeared  before 
that  sedate  body,  and  urged  them  to  forbid  an  entertain- 
ment which  included  Santa  Claus,  but  those  kind  hearted 
fathers  declined  to  interfere.  Some  of  you  will  remember 
how  that  Elders  Whitty  and  Weir  pulled  a  hidden  rope  and 
neither  they  nor  the  500  people  present  at  the  time,  knew 
how  it  happened  to  cause  Santa  Claus  to  ride  triumphantly 
into  the  Sunday  School  in  a  genuine  sleigh  apparently  drawn 


72  MODERN  METHODS 

by  two  white  deer,  tandem  stj'le,  with  white  silk  ribbon 
harness,  all  glistening  with  fresh  white  snow.  Every  boy 
and  girl  knew  that  night  beyond  the  peradventure  of  a 
doubt,  that  there  was  a  real,  genuine  Santa  Claus,  for  they 
saw  him  ride  in  the  sleigli  which  was  loaded  with  presents 
for  everybod}^  from  the  pastor  down  to  the  smallest  child. 
Time  would  fail  us  to  recount  the  changes  which  have  taken 
place  during  the  last  eighty  years,  for  they  have  been  the 
most  marvelous  years  of  progress  and  achievement  in  the 
history  of  the  world. 

The  Church  celebrates  its  Eightieth  Anniversary,  but 
this  Sunday  School  celebrates  its  Seventieth  Anniversary, 
and  yet  sevent}^  3'ears  is  a  long  time.  It  represents  the 
allotted  time  of  a  man's  life,  three  score  years  and  ten. 
During  all  these  j^ears  this  Sunday  School  has  stood  as  a 
beacon  light  to  guide  the  young  to  the  haven  of  rest  and  as 
a  warnino:  siojnal  aorainst  dans^erous  rocks  and  shoals  which 
would  wreck  the  unwary. 

Let  me  hint  at  one  change  which  has  occurred  here  in 
the  last  fifteen  years.  When  Oakland  Mission  School  was 
built,  one  of  the  most  difficult  problems  was  to  find  convey- 
ances for  the  teachers  willing  to  go  there  each  Sabbath. 
Different  persons  took  turns  in  furnishing  family  carriages 
for  this  purposes.  Now  the  teachers  are  carried  there  by 
that  God-given  force,  chained  lightning,  which  we  call 
electricity.  The  faithful  old  family  horse  could  carry  three 
or  four  persons  a  few  miles  an  hour.  Now  we  have  en- 
chanted horses  which  travel  at  the  rate  of  a  mile  in  less 
than  a  minute,  able  to  carry  not  merely  three  or  four  per- 
sons but  the  entire  population  of  several  such  cities  as 
Springfield  was  when  this  Sunday  School  was  started. 

This  has  been  a  Christian  Sunday-  School,  founded  upon 
the  teachings  of  Christ  and  his  Apostles,  Jesus  Christ  him- 
self beino;  the  chief  corner  stone.     Here  the  word  of  God 


Mrs.  Geo.  O.  C.  Frankenbcro^ 


SUMMARY  78 

has  been  taught  and  expounded  fifty-two  times  a  year  for 
sevent}^  years,  to  thousands  of  young  and  tender  hearts  who 
gladly  received  the  message  of  love  which  made  their  lives 
brighter,  purer,  better  and  happier  in  this  world  and  pre- 
pared them  for  a  life  of  eternity  with  God  and  his  Holy 
Angels. 

For  over  thirty-five  hundred  Sabbaths,  true  men  and 
women,  who  would  not  work  for  gold,  have  assembled  here 
to  teach  the  3^outh  of  Springfield  that  there  is  something 
greater  and  better  than  wealth,  something  grander  than 
fame,  "that  a  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen  than  great 
riches,  and  loving  favor  than  silver  and  gold," 

Then  followed  what  was  justly  regarded  as  the  most 
enjoyable  feature  of  the  celebration, 

THE  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES 

Of  Mrs.  George  O.  C.  Frankenberg 

Mrs.  Frankenberg  spoke  in  her  usual  conversational 
manner.  The  following  is  a  verbatim  report  of  her  ad- 
dress, made  by  Mr.  J.  Edgar  Shiery : 

It  is  good  to  be  here  in  the  dear  old  church  tonight. 
"Bnt,"  you  say,  "we  have  made  it  new."  Why,  my  friends, 
you  may  take  down  these  walls  and  build  them  up  again 
and  again ;  turning  the  bricks  inside  out  and  outside  in ; 
stand  them  edgewise,  if  you  please;  remodel,  rebuild,  re- 
paint, but  to  some  of  us  old  folks,  now  in  our  second  child- 
hood, this  remains  still  the  dear  old  church-  our  first 
church,  and  with  the  psalmist  we  can  say,  "Thy  servants 
take  pleasure  in  thy  stones,  and  favor  the  dust  thereof.'' 
This  old  church  has  lived  through  many  changes  of  city, 
state  and  nation.  Not  so  with  the  people  who  were  here 
eighty  years  ago;  they  are  gone,  and  I  am  here  as  repre" 


74  PERSONAL  REMINISCENCES 

sentative  of  the  few   remaining   who   worshipped   within 
these  walls  seventy-five  years  ago. 

They  are  scattered  now,  and  fled, 

Some  are  married,  some  are  dead ; 
And  when  I  ask  with  throbbing  pain— 

Ah,  when  shall  they  all  meet  again? 

Never  here,  forever  there. 

Where  all  parting,  pain  and  care 
And  death  and  time  shall  disappear, 

Forever  there  but  never  here. 

You  may  say,  "How  comes  it  that  some  who  loved  this 
old  church  so  much  are  in  the  Second  and  Third  churches?" 
Wh}^,  when  the  Spirit  came  here  wooing  for  a  bride,  think 
you  this  mother  church  would  say  him,  no?  Not  at  all, 
but  helped  to  set  the  bride  up  to  housekeeping  in  an  up- 
per room,  just  'round  the  corner  on  Limestone  street,  and 
the  bride  and  her  children  love  to  come  to  the  old  home. 

We  have  had  so  many  valuable  papers  here,  so  well 
written,  for  they  knew  they  were  to  go  in  a  book,  but  I 
feel  it  is  not  the  right  thing,  scarcely  polite,  for  me  to  come 
without  a  paper  and  give  you  a  scattered  talk,  but  Dr. 
Hill  said  (and  he  would  have  his  way),  if  I  was  not  able 
(and  I  was  not,  neither  in  head  nor  hand),  to  write  a  paper, 
I  might  give  a  little  talk.  I  am  not  going  to  come  down 
very  far,  but  will  go  waj^  back,  for  there  are  very  few  who 
can  go  back  so  far,  perhaps,  as  I  can. 

My  father  and  mother  came  to  this  city  in  1812.  In 
1824  I  was  born,  so  I  have  almost  seen  this  city  grow  en- 
tirely. When  my  parents  came  here,  I  think  that  all 
along  here  were  plum  trees  and  hazel  bushes.  I  have 
heard  my  father  tell  of  the  Indians  who  were  going  then  to 
the  far,  far  West,  to  Indiana.  They  would  come  along 
here  and  often  rest  on  this  very  ground  where  this  church 
was  built. 

I  believe  you  have  been  told,  in  some  of  the  papers 


THE  FATHERS  75 

read,  the  first  printing  office  in  Springfield  was  on  this 
corner;  it  was  known  as  the  corner  of  Main  street  and 
Hooppole  alley,  now  Fisher  street.  There  the  first  news- 
paper was  printed,  run  now  under  the  name  of  the 
"Republic  Times." 

Well,  in  those  early  days,  this  church  was  a  great 
aff'air,  and  we  all  took  great  pleasure,  of  course,  in  coming 
here.  The  Methodist  people  and  all  other  denominations 
had  been  very  thoughtful  and  kind  in  offering  a  room  and 
home  for  the  Presbyterians  to  preach  in,  but  we  Presby- 
terians wanted  our  own  home.  When  we  built  it,  it  was  a 
very  plain  aflfair.  Down  the  middle  aisles  were  long  seats ; 
then  the  wall  seats  and  I  remember  the  "Amen  Corner." 

I  cannot  exactly  tell  how  the  people  sat,  but  I  do  re- 
member old  Mr.  Humphreys'  pew  on  the  East  side,  middle 
block.  Then  came  Mr.  Stout;  then  my  father,  Mr.  Arm- 
strong; then  General  Anthony;  then  General  Mason;  then 
Mr.  Sprigman;  then,  I  may  be  wrong,  Mr.  James  Wallace, 
and  then,  he  had  a  nephew  who  was  a  smaller  man,  and  we 
always  called  him  "Little"  Jimmie  Wallace;  and  I  think 
of  the  Rodgers;  then  came  Dr.  Rodgers'  pew.  On  the 
other  side  came  the  Spencers,  in  the  wall  seats. 

In  the  middle  block  on  the  west  side,  I  believe,  were 
Dr.  Hunt's  family,  the  Brains,  the  Lehmans  and  the 
Christies  and  Judge  Page.  In  this  middle  block,  which 
made  me  proud  when  a  girl,  sat  three  generals;  my  father. 
Gen.  Oliver  Armstrong,  Gen.  Charles  Anthony  and  Gen. 
Sampson  Mason.  You  see,  they  were  generals  of  the 
militia;  they  used  to  hold  muster  those  days  just  a  little 
this  side  of  Oakland  Chapel  in  an  open  meadow  on  ray 
father's  farm.  Oh,  what  great  occasions  those  days  were. 
There  were  not  so  many  amusements  in  those  days,  you 
know.  The  women  and  men  came  out  to  muster  days.  I 
was  there  with  my  father;  I  was  very  proud  of  my  father. 


76  SABBATH  OBSERl^ANCE 

and  often  wondered  why  he  was  not  made  president  of  the 
United  States;  he  was  a  general,  general  of  the  militia,  and 
I  couldn't  understand  it.  You  know  the  women  came;  we 
were  very  hospitable  and  entertained  them  when  they  came 
to  view  the  muster.  You  know  the  women  then,  especially 
the  Presbyterian  women,  had  not  taken  hold  earnestly,  of 
"Progressive  Euchre,"  like  they  do  now,  and  they  were  a 
long  time  getting  used  to  it,  but  now  I  think  they  have  it 
pretty  well  established  in  all  our  churches,  and  I  think  it 
will  continue  to  progress,  unless  it  gets  some  very  serious 
backsets. 

Those  days  were  times  of  amusement.  Then  we  were 
exceedingly  Presbyterian,  even  my  father's  horses.  Why, 
I  don't  think,  on  Sunday,  we  could  have  gotten  our  horses 
to  go  past  Hooppole  alley,  and  I  think  the  driver  would 
have  been  arrested  for  disturbing  the  Sabbath  dsij.  I 
must  speak  of  those  Sabbath  keeping  horses,  because  I 
know  one  or  two  boys  of  my  age  in  the  church,  who  re- 
member our  horses.  My  father  had  a  very  kind  way  of  al- 
lowing his  children  to  name  a  new  horse  we  raised  or  pur- 
chased. He  came  home  one  day  with  a  very  fine  bay 
horse,  gentle  and  ga}^  and  he  said  we  little  girls  might 
name  him.  We  named  hiin  "Polly  Ann."  He  never 
seemed  to  be  offended,  but  trotted  as  proudly  as  if  his 
name  had  been  "Prince."  Father  raised  his  eyebrows, 
looked  a  little  surprised,  and  there^  was  a  sort  of  twitch 
about  his  mouth,  but  he  never  want  back  on  his  word  to 
the  children,  and  "Polly  Ann"  was  "Polly  Ann"  to  his 
dying  day,  and  there  never  was  a  more  faithful  church 
goer.  We  might  come  in  during  the  week,  go  down  across 
Mill  Run  in  what  was  called  "Old  Virginia,"  and  "Polly 
Ann"  never  cared  at  all,  but  let  it  be  Sunday  and  3'ou 
couldn't  get  her  past  this  church.  Why,  my  father's  cattle 
knew  when  Sunday  came;    he  always  salted  them  in  the 


UNCLE  AND  AUNTIE  GRAY  77 

same  lot;  the  bars  were  down  all  the  week,  but  the^^  never 
went  into  that  lot  until  Sunday  morning.  They  knew 
as  well,  that  they  would  get  salt  on  Sunday  morning,  as  we 
children  did,  that  we  would  get  our  baked  beans.  So  I 
have  often  thought  it  would  be  rather  nice,  if,  nowadays 
even  the  cattle,  "His  cattle  upon  the  thousand  hills," . 
should  instinctively  know  from  example  of  the  shepherds, 
that  it  was  the  Lord's  Day. 

I  want  to  tell  a  little  about  some  of  our  first  pastors. 
I  remember  a  little  about  Uncle  Gray.  I  remember  most 
distinctly  when  he  was  our  pastor,  and  I  also  remember 
Auntie  Gray,  his  wife.  The  whole  town  called  them  "Uncle 
and  Auntie  Gray"  because  they  raised  some  neices  and 
nephews.  Now,  Auntie  Gray  in  her  good  old  fashioned 
way,  always  spoke  of  her  husband  as  "Uncle  Daddy."  It 
would  seem  queer  nowadays  for  the  wives  of  our  pastors  to 
go  around  speaking  of  their  husbands  as  "Uncle  Daddy." 
The  other  day  Miss  Lydia  Brain  spoke  of  how  Auntie  Gray 
piled  her  veil  on  her  bonnet.  She  had  a  sweet  face,  and  it 
looked  as  though  she  was  sitting  back  in  a  covered  wagon. 
Thej^  wore  veils  in  those  days;  real,  long  veils.  The  Meth- 
odists did  not  approve  of  it.  My  mother  said  she  heard 
Judge  John  Miller's  grand  father  preaching  in  the  Metho- 
dist church  down  on  North  street,  when  two  ladies  came  in 
with  long  veils;  he  stopped  right  in  the  middle  of  his  ser- 
mon and  said:  "Do  look;  the  devil  is  in  those  veils."  The 
Methodists  dressed  very  plainly;  as  much  so  almost  as  the 
Quakers,  only  their  bonnets  were  black  instead  of  grey. 
Well,  we  Presbyterians  wore  veils,  but  the  Methodists  did 
not  think  it  right.  Auntie  Gray  always  had  a  way  of  fold- 
ing her  veil  on  her  bonnet.  She  had  a  way  of  assenting 
by  nodding  her  head,  to  all  her  husband  was  saying.  I 
like  to  see  preacher's  wives  assent  to  all  their  husbands 
are  saying.     Well,  she  would  get  to  nodding  her  head  and 


78  MR.  GALLOIVAY 

her  veil  would  tumble  down,  and  she  would  carefuUj'  fold 
it  up  again  and  begin  nodding  assent.  That  was  consid- 
ered all  right,  and  we  never  disapproved  of  anything  they 
did  or  said;  they  were  such  loveable  people.  I  can  just  see 
him  standing  way  up  here  in  this  pulpit.  When  Uncle 
Gray  would  get  along  fourteenthly,  fifteenthly  or  six- 
teenthly  with  his  sermon,  I  would  begin  to  get  a  little 
tired,  and  would  get  to  thinking,  "What  a  nice  play-house 
that  pulpit  would  make.  I  would  have  Lydia  Brain,  Lucy 
Brain,  the  Christie  girls  and  Kit  Page;  I  would  have  my 
cousins  and  all  the  girls  "  I  would  sit  in  meeting  and 
think  just  that  way,  yet  I  did  love  to  go  to  church.  The 
sermon  was  always  good.  I  remember  thinking,  if  I  didn't 
understand  it,  it  was  certainly  a  good  sermon. 

Now,  I  want  to  go  back  to  Mr.  Galloway's  time.  Mr. 
Christie  led  the  choir;  he  believed  in  instrumental  music, 
and  introduced  the  base  viol.  There  was  an  old  minister 
used  to  come  up  from  Dayton  to  preach  here  occasionally, 
and  he  was  very  much  opposed  to  instrumental  music  in 
the  church.  You  have  heard  this  no  doubt;  I  read  it  once 
in  the  papers,  but  it  actually  occurred  right  here.  When 
he  got  up  to  give  out  the  hymn,  Father  Barnes  said,  ''You 
will  please  fiddle  and  sing  '  Hark  from  the  tombs  the  dole- 
ful sound.' "  We  all  thought  that  very  funny ;  the  choir 
thought  so  too. 

Mr.  Galloway  was  a  very  thorough  Presbyterian  and 
a  very  good  preacher,  and  yet,  do  3^ou  know,  that  at  one 
time  through  his  strict  Presbyterianism,  we  had  shouting 
in  this  church?  I  might  suppose  you  would  be  surprised. 
Why  now,  even  the  Methodists  have  gotten  too  fashionable 
to  shout.  But  there  actually  was  shouting  in  this  church. 
There  was  an  old  lady  by  the  name  of  Mrs.  Hodge  who 
lived  near  Harmony,  but  on  account  of  the  bad,  muddy 
roads  and  the  distance,  she  didn't  often  get  into  this,  her 


IVOMAN'S  CRUSADE  79 

own  church,  but  she  went  to  the  Methodist  church.  One 
Sabbath  she  was  here  and  Mr.  Galloway  was  preaching 
such  a  good,  touching  sermon;  "the  love  of  Christ  and  his 
sacrifice  for  sinners."  All  at  once  the  old  lady  clapped  her 
hands  and  shouted,  "Glory  to  God;  Glory  to  God."  Right 
here  Mr.  Galloway  stopped  for  an  instant,  blushed,  looked 
a  little  confused,  then  leaned  forward,  looked  at  the  old 
lady  and  said:  "Yes,  it  is  Glory  to  God;  Glory  to  God  in 
the  Highest,  and  it  was  the  Angels  who  said  it."  Oh,  I 
think  this  approval  made  the  old  lady  feel  good.  She  was 
a  little  embarrassed;  she  didn't  know;  she  cried  out  before 
she  thought  of  it.  I  do  not  know  bat  I  remember  my 
mother  said  afterwards  that  Mr.  Galloway  told  her  from 
that  time  on  he  seemed  inspired,  and  felt  he  never  preached 
more  in  the  Spirit,  as  he  did  to  finish  that  sermon,  saying, 
"I  felt,  is  it  possible  one  can  be  so  touched  with  my  pre- 
sentation of  this  precious  Word  they  can  cry  out  "Glory  to 
God?"" 

I  am  not  sure  but  all  Presbyterian  ministers  would 
feel  better  if  their  congregations  would  show  a  little  more 
demonstration.  Of  course,  our  choirs  do  laugh  and  talk  a 
little,  and  seemed  pleased,  but  the  minister  wants  to  see 
real  joy  on  the  faces  of  their  hearers.  It  would  not  disturb 
any  Presbyterian  minister  if  they  should  hear  an  "Amen" 
occasionally.  I  believe  it  would  be  nice  to  hear  the  women 
once  in  a  while.  I  do  not  see  why  they  should  not  be 
heard. 

You  know  way  back  in  those  days  women  didn't  say 
much  in  public;  they  were  sort  of  Paulines;  didn't  dare  to, 
but  I  am  glad  to  say  that  is  not  so  now.  The  Methodist  and 
Baptist  women  always  had  spoken  in  meetings,  but  it  was 
not  until  the  Women's  Temperance  Crusade  that  the  Pres- 
byterian women  began  to  get  their  tongues  loosened.  Oh 
yes,  I  know  of  ladies  who  have  gone  to  evening  parties  with 


80  THE  DEAR  OLD  CHURCH 

no  sleeves  at  all  and  scarcely  any  waist,  who  have  said, 
"How  can  they  have  the  brass  to  stand  up  and  talk  in 
meetings?"  It  doesn't  take  half  the  brass  to  stand  up  and 
say  a  word  for  Jesus,  that  it  does  to  dress  for  the  devil.  I 
say  now  that  we  know  we  can  modestly  do  it;  we  should 
say  it. 

I  know  yer  new  church  is  scrumptious,  with  its  velvet  an'  its  glitter, 
Its  frescoin'  an'  its  music,  an'  its  softly  shimmerin'  light, 

But  somehow,  all  this  finery  makes  me  kinder,  sorter  bitter. 
For  my  heart  keeps  turnin'  to  the  dear  old  church  tonight. 

'Twas  a  mighty  common  bulldin',  nothin'  purty  'bout  it. 

An  unsightly  old  red  buildin'  seamed  with  cracks  adown  the  sides,— 

But  don't  you  youngsters  speak  of  it,  kinder  sorter  light, 

Jes'  remember,  please,  my  feelin's  for  the  dear  old  church  tonight. 

You  see,  I'm  seventy-five  years  old.    I'm  nearin'  the  other  shore, 
An'  this  old  church  alius  takes  me  back  to  the  time  I  was  a  girl; 

I  picter  the  pews  with  faces  ov  the  ones  'ats  gone  before. 

An'  in  memory's  light  I  see  'em,  in  this  dear  old  church  tonight. 

A  thousand  memories  cluster  'round  this  dear  old  place. 

Here  I  sat  with  father,  mother,  and  here  met,  (more  than  half  a 
hundred  years  ago,) 
My  sweetheart,  still  my  lover. 

In  this  sacred  spot  I  bade  farewell  to  loved  laces,  cold  with  death's 
blight. 
Do  you  wonder  then  I'm  clinging,  to  the  dear  old  church  tonight? 

I'm  glad  you've  made  it  mighty  fine,  with  its  velvet  an'  its  glitter, 
Its  frescoin'  an'  its  music,  an'  its  softly  shimmerin'  light; 

An'  somehow,  all  this  finery  doesn't  make  me  kinder  sorter  bitter. 
For  I'm  in  the  dear  old  church  tonight. 


THE  YQUNG  PEOPLE  81 


Monday,  Twenty-fifth,  September 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  congregation 
assembled  and  listened  to  the  following  papers: 

THE  YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  WORK 

By  Mrs.  Mary  King  Brain 

To  Mrs.  Amaziah  Winger,  that  pioneer  in  so  many 
branches  of  good  work  in  our  church,  is  due  the  thanks  of 
our  young  people  for  the  first  organized  work  among  them. 
In  1873  she  gathered  the  young  girls  of  the  church  around 
her  and  formed  a  missionary  society,  called  the  "Band  of 
Willing  Workers." 

In  the  course  of  a  few  3^ears  the  work  became  graded. 
The  children  in  the  primary  room  formed  the  youngest 
mission  band,  calling  themselves  "Jesus'  Lambs,"  and 
pledging  annually  the  support  of  a  scholarship  in  Ningpo, 
China.  At  the  age  of  ten  the}^  joined  the  Band  of  Willing 
Workers,  and  from  there  entered  the  Young  Ladies'  Society, 
which  was  organized  in  1879,  though  we  find  no  further 
records  of  the  society  for  two  years,  than  that  Mrs.  Lundie 
Willard  Beach  and  Miss  Rose  Sharon  were  elected  as 
presidents. 

In  1881,  with  Miss  Ottie  Smith  as  president,  at  Dr. 
Falconer's  request,  the  first  work  of  the  Young  Ladies' 
Society,  of  which  we  have  any  record,  was  obtaining  sub- 
scribers to  The  Foreign  Missionary. 

This  society  very  soon  created  an  honorary  roll  which 
would  include  the  young  men  of  the  church.  The  members 
however  felt  the  need  of  an  organization  including  as  active 


82  THE  CONyERSAZIONE 

members  the  young  men,  who  at  that  time  willingly  gave 
financial  support  to  the  cause  of  missions,  but  were  ignor- 
ant of  methods  employed  or  the  results  obtained.  With 
this  in  mind  it  was  comparatively  easy  to  accomplish  their 
desire,  when  Miss  Mattie  Noyes,  now  Mrs.  Dr.  Kerr,  of 
Canton,  China,  visited  the  missionary  societies  of  the  two 
Presbyterian  Churches,  arousing  enthusiasm  and  interest 
among  all  with  whom  she  came  in  contact,  and  she  especially 
urged  the  formation  of  this  joint  society. 

In  1884  The  Missionary  Conversazione  was  organi- 
zed under  the  direction  of  the  Young  Ladies'  Society. 
However,  in  a  short  time  it  was  deemed  best  that  the  Young 
Ladies'  Society  and  the  Conversazione  should  each  elect  its 
own  officers,  as  the  work  and  interest  in  both  organizations 
were  increasing.  Consequently  Miss  Mary  Dunlap  was 
elected  President  of  the  Young  Ladies'  Society  and  Miss 
Belle  M.  Brain  President  of  the  Conversazione.  Miss  Brain 
held  this  office  until  1888  and  was  succeeded  by  Mrs.  Noble 
C.  King,  her  successor  being  Miss  Lulu  Cumback,  and  at 
the  expiration  of  her  term  of  office  Miss  Brain  was  again 
elected  President.  In  Miss  Brain  the  young  people  of  the 
church  have  had  an  untiring  leader  in  their  Master's  work, 
and  to  her  is  largely  due  the  success  of  various  organiza- 
tions of  our  young  people,  and  indeed  the  influence  of  the 
Conversazione  has  been  almost  world-wide,  for  the  methods 
of  work  and  means  employed  for  gathering  and  distributing 
missionary  information  were  so  attractive  that  its  member- 
ship grew  rapidly  and  developed  missionary  leaders  and 
church  workers,  most  of  whom  are  still  carrying  on  their 
Master's  work. 

Miss  Dunlap  in  India,  Mr.  Minor  Williams  engaged 
in  Y.  M.  C.  A.  work,  the  Rev.  Gilbert  Wilson  now  in  charge 
of  a  Home  Mission  Church  in  Moorehead,  Minn.,  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Noble  King  engaged  in  C.  E.  Mission  work  in  New 


Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  83 

York  City,  and  a  host  of  others  doing  effectual  work  else- 
where, all  answer  the  doubt  often  expressed  that  the  Con- 
versazione and  other  organizations  of  young  people  since 
that  time  have  not  produced  the  leaders  among  the  young 
people  in  the  church  that  they  should  have  done. 

The  old  First  Church  has  given  scores  of  young  people 
their  Christian  training  and  preparation  for  work,  but  the 
majority  of  them  have  been  called  to  other  homes,  and 
while  we  have  realized  their  loss  we  can  but  feel  that  our 
loss  has  been  the  gain  of  other  churches. 

In  1885  Mr.  George  C.  Hall,  as  Superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  School,  after  conferring  with  the  teachers  requested 
the  Sunday  School  scholars  to  remain  a  few  moments  for  a 
prayer  meeting  during  the  interval  between  Sunday  School 
and  Church.  But  a  few  responded  the  first  Sabbath,  but 
the  attendance  and  interest  grew  rapidly,  and  a  great  many 
were  led  to  confess  Christ  as  a  result  of  these  prayer  meet- 
ings. It  was  soon  thought  best  to  transfer  the  time  of  this 
meeting  to  the  hour  preceding  the  evening  service,  and 
when  this  prayer  meeting  was  discontinued  Dr.  Falconer 
formed  a  Sabbath  Evening  Study  Class,  taking  different 
portions  of  the  Bible  for  consideration.  This,  in  turn, 
gradually  merged  into  a  young  people's  prayer  meeting 
which  was  continued  until  1888.  At  this  time  the  advis- 
ability of  a  Christian  Endeavor  Society  was  discussed, 
resulting  in  its  organization  by  the  Session,  Mr.  I.  F. 
McNally  being  elected  the  first  President.  Owing  to  a 
partial  misinterpretation  of  the  C.  E.  pledge  a  number  of 
the  most  active  workers  refused  to  join  this  organization, 
until  after  the  Rev.  A.  A.  Murphy  became  pastor  of  the 
church  and  urged  the  necessity  of  the  aid  of  the  young 
people  and  the  importance  of  the  work  that  Christian 
Endeavor  Societies  were  accomplishing.  In  a  compara- 
tively short  time   the  membership  doubled,  the  meetings 


84  MISSION  BANDS 

were  bright  and  interesting,  and  the  young  people  were 
eager  and  enthusiastic  in  carrying  on  their  part  of  the 
work  of  ihe  church.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  months 
this  Christian  Endeavor  Society  has  been  a  wide  awake 
working  society  until  a  short  time  ago.  "A  division  of 
sentiment  as  to  the  best  form  of  organization  has  recently 
arisen,  and  the  Christian  Endeavor  Society  is  in  a  state  of 
transition.  The  immediate  future  will  determine  what 
change,  if  any,  is  to  be  made,  but  judging  from  the  past, 
there  can  be  no  question  as  to  the  character  of  the  future 
work  of  the  young  people  ot  this  church." 

As  was  previously  stated  the  Band  of  Willing  Workers 
was  the  nucleus  of  organized  work  among  the  young  people. 
Mrs.  Winger  having  charge  of  it  for  eight  3'ears,  resigning 
only  on  account  of  her  health,  and  Mrs.  Mary  King  Brain 
was  chosen  her  successor.  After  the  discontinuance  of 
this  Band,  in  1893,  there  was  no  organized  missionary  work 
among  the  children  until  Dr.  Proudfit's  pastorate.  He 
believed  a  church  could  not  have  too  many  organizations 
in  order  to  bring  into  exercise  all  classes  of  the  church. 

In  November,  1896,  a  Young  Girls'  Mission  Band  was 
organized  under  the  leadership  of  Miss  Belle  M.  Brain,  and 
at  the  request  of  the  members  the  society  was  called  the 
Alexander  Proudfit  Mission  Band.  Previous  to  this  time 
a  Junior  Endeavor  Society  had  been  organized,  Miss  Frances 
Gushing,  Miss  Eva  Taylor,  Miss  Anna  Barrett  and  Mrs. 
Adele  Downey  Reinhold  having  charge  of  it. 

In  March,  1897,  Dr.  Proudfit  resolved  this  society  into 
a  Boys'  Mission  Band,  and  a  band  of  little  girls  forming 
the  Junior  Alexander  Proudfit  Mission  Band — the  former 
being  under  the  care  of  Miss  Jennie  Gushing  and  Mrs. 
Mary  King  Brain,  Miss  Anna  Barrett  and  Mrs.  Keinhold 
having  charge  of  the  band  of  little  girls. 

Mrs.  Proudfit  in  November,  1896,  organized  a  society 


THE  MEN'S  LEAGUE  85 

of  the  5'^oung  ladies  called  the  Young  Ladies'  Mission  Circle. 
Mrs.  Grace  Brain  McGregor  being  elected  the  first  Presi- 
dent and  Mrs.  Fred.  Barrett,  Mrs.  Winger  and  Mrs.  Proud- 
fit  were  elected  as  honorar}^  members.  The  Alexander 
Proudfit  Mission  Band  and  the  Young  Ladies'  Circle  are 
still  in  existence  and  carrying  on  the  work  for  which  they 
were  organized.  The  Boys  have  recently  been  re-organized 
into  a  club  by  Dr.  Hill,  and  are  studying  missions  under 
Miss  E.  Jennie  Reid. 

THE  MEN'S  LEAGUE 

By  C.  C.  Cory 

Our  hearts  have  been  so  stirred  and  our  minds  so 
stored  by  all  that  has  been  said  in  the  past  few  days  in 
connection  with  our  church,  that  while  my  subject  is  by 
no  means  a  minor  consideration,  yet  I  will  not  elaborate, 
but  will  endeavor  as  nearly  as  possible,  to  present  my 
theme  in  a  nut  shell.  "Brevity  is  the  soul  of  wit,"  so  my 
remarks  on  this  subject  will  claim  one  merit.  The  Men's 
League  bears  the  relationship  of  that  of  a  brother  to  the 
many  sister  organizations  in  our  church.  The  many  ac- 
tivities of  the  women  in  the  church,  their  zealous  efforts  in 
the  Lord's  cause,  only  made  the  lack  of  such  efforts  among 
the  men  very  pronounced.  In  order  to  concert  the  efforts 
of  the  men  along  useful  lines,  it  was  decided  to  organize  a 
Men's  League. 

We  owe  our  inception  to  the  suggestion  of  the  late  be- 
loved Dr.  Proudfit,  who  on,  7,  May,  1895,  requested  the 
men  of  this  church  to  meet  him  in  the  lecture  room  to  con- 
sider the  feasability  of  organizing  a  Men's  League,  Forty- 
two  men  responded  to  that  call,  and  after  a  devotional  ser- 
vice, Dr.  Proudfit,  in  a  short  address,  expressed  a  desire 
that  such  an  organization  might  be  formed  in  this  church, 


86  IN  y IT  AT  I O}^  COMMITTEE 

for  work  among  the  men.  It  was  the  unanimous  opinion 
of  that  meeting  that  such  an  organization  was  needed  and 
a  committee  of  five  was  appointed  with  Dr.  Proudfit  as 
chairman,  to  draft  a  constitution  and  by-laws.  One  week 
later  the  organization  was  completed  with  the  following 
officers:  President,  A.  R.  Cobaugh;  Vice-President,  W.  H. 
Griffith;  Secretary,  G.  H.  Brain;  Treasurer,  Chas.  L. 
Converse.  Committees  were  arranged  and  they  went  to 
work  with  a  good  deal  of  enthusiasm,  and  all  of  them  did 
faithful  work. 

Of  the  work  of  the  different  committees  perhaps  that 
of  the  Invitation  and  Reception  committee  is  deserving  of 
special  mention.  Mr.  J.  S.  Crowell  was  chairman  for  over 
a  year.  Mr.  Fred  N.  Wilson,  a  member  of  this  committee 
was  tireless  in  the  work  of  distributing  invitations,  early 
every  Sabbath  morning  at  the  different  hotels,  extending  a 
cordial  welcome  to  all  strangers  to  the  services  of  our 
church.  The  far  reaching  results  of  this  work,  was  evi- 
denced by  the  receipt  of  letters  of  inquiry  from  distant 
points  as  to  the  workings  of  the  Men's  League,  and  ex- 
pressing gratitude  for  having  had  the  invitation.  Through 
the  efforts  of  the  Social  committee  the  League  gave  a  num- 
ber of  entertainments  of  a  high  class. 

After  Dr.  Proudfit' s  death  the  League  was  somewhat 
inactive.  After  Dr.  Hill  became  our  pastor,  at  his  sug- 
gestion the  constitution  was  modified  so  that  the  scope  of 
the  work  of  the  League  was  broadened  and  special  attention 
was  concentrated  on  the  Sunday  evening  meetings.  By 
special  and  attractive  services  the  average  attendance  was 
increased  to  over  four  times  what  it  had  been  before.  Thus 
we  see,  the  result  of  organized  effort,  and  that  a  Men's 
League  substantially  strengthens  the   work  of  the  church. 

The  first  Men's  Club  was  organized  on  the  20th  of 
September,  1891,  by  the  Rev.  Charles  S.  Murkland,  D.  D., 


OAKLAND  87 

in   the   Franklin   Street,    Congregational    Church,    Man- 
chester, N.  H. 

In  Dr.  Hill's  little  book,  "The  Fishin'  Jimmy  Club," 
he  says:  "The  first  noteworthy  recognition  of  such  organ- 
izations, by  a  high  ecclesiastical  body,  was  made  by  the 
Presbyterian  General  Assembly  in  1895,  in  the  narrative 
on  the  State  of  Religion,  in  the  following  terms :  'The  call 
is  made  for  the  organization  of  men.  The  men  of  our 
church,  as  a  class,  are  falling  to  the  rear  of  the  great  host 
of  God,  in  both  service  and  benevolence.  This  occurs, 
largely,  because  they  are  not  organized  into  associations 
as  the  women  are.  To  evangelize  men,  to  pray  and  labor 
for  their  salvation,  is  the  need  of  the  hour,  second  to  no 
other  call  in  the  sphere  of  Christian  work.'  " 

OAKLAND  CHAPEL 

By  Edward  L.  Barrett 

Oakland  Chapel  is  distinctly  the  child  of  the  old  First 
church.  As  such,  it  has  been  raised  on  the  principle  of 
being  taught  self  reliance  and  self  support,  and  has  ac- 
cordingly, as  is  generally  the  case  under  such  circum- 
stances, developed  an  ability  to  take  care  of  itself,  being 
thrown  largely  on  its  own  resources,  both  financial  and 
managerial.  It  has  had  a  few  warm  and  active  friends  in 
this  church,  who  have  encouraged  the  work  by  their  pres- 
ence occasionally,  as  well  as  by  financial  help.  We  desire 
to  mention  by  name  in  this  connection  Mrs.  Nancy 
Murphy,  who  so  kindly  remembered  the  Chapel  in  her 
will. 

The  prime  origin  of  the  school,  and  as  to  where  is  due 
the  credit  of  the  first  steps  in  its  founding,  cannot  be  posi- 
tively ascertained,  as  it  started  in  a  very  small  way  and 
dates  back  as  far,  at  least,  as  the  year  1876.     The  work  at 


88  CHAPEL  ASSOCIATION 

this  time  seems  to  have  been  taken  under  the  care  of  the 
County  Sunday  School  Association,  and  was  placed  under 
the  direct  care  of  Mr.  Wm.  Whitty,  as  superintendent,  in 
the  year  1876,  continuing  through  1877.  In  the  next  year, 
1878,  Mr.  Geo.  C.  Hall  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  T.  Rice, 
took  up  the  work.     Mr.  Hall  was  elected  superintendent. 

At  this  time  the  location  of  the  school  was  beyond  the 
city  limits,  in  a  neighborhood  known  as  East  Springfield; 
and  bearing  a  character  that  made  it  a  reproach  if  not  a 
disgrace,  to  be  identified  with  in  a  social  way.  The  school 
received  its  name  from  the  township  district  school,  where 
its  sessions  were  held,  which  was  known  as  "Oakland 
School  District." 

In  the  spring  of  1879  Mr.  Hall  was  elected  superin- 
tendent of  the  First  Church  School.  He  resigned  his  posi- 
tion at  Oakland,  and  was  succeeded  by  E.  L.  Barrett,  Jr. 
There  has  been  no  change  in  the  superintendency  for  the 
twenty  years  last  past. 

The  school  maintained  its  existence  under  these  con- 
ditions, with  varying  success,  but  steadily  gaining  a  foot- 
ing from  the  year  1879,  till  early  in  the  year  1882. 

During  this  time  the  subject  of  a  permanent  home  for 
the  Sunda}^  School  had  been  agitated  to  such  an  extent, 
that  Mr.  Geo.  Brain  made  a  proposition  to  donate  a  good 
lot  for  the  purpose,  provided  the  matter  was  put  into  per- 
manent shape. 

In  January,  1882,  a  regular  call  was  issued  for  a  meet- 
ting  of  the  people  in  the  neighborhood  interested  in  the 
work.  At  this  meeting  it  was  decided  to  incorporate 
under  the  laws  of  Ohio,  in  the  name  of  the  "Oakland 
Chapel  Association,"  and  the  articles  of  incorporation  were 
filed  with  the  Secretary  of  State,  30,  Januar}^,  1882,  which 
is  the  first  definite  date  of  record.  The  Article  of  Incor- 
poration states: 


a, 
O 

o 


ORGANIZATION  89 

1st.  The  name  assumed  by  this  corporation,  and  b}' 
which  it  shall  be  known  is  "The  Oakland  Chapel  Associa- 
tion of  Springfield,  Ohio." 

2nd,  The  Association  is  located  in  Springfield  Town- 
ship, Clark  County,  Ohio. 

3rd.  The  purpose  for  which  this  Association  is  formed 
is  the  advancement  of  the  Christian  religion,  Morality  and 
Temperance. 

4th.  The  Association  is  not  for  pecuniary  profit,  and 
has  no  capital  stock.  It  was  signed  by  the  following 
names :  E.  L.  Barrett  Jr.,  Fred  W.  Barrett,  Pierson  T. 
Spinning,  Thos.  A.  McBeth,  W.  S.  Maitland,  Joseph  W. 
Foster,  R.  D.  Evans,  W.  S.  Bolser,  Silas  Bolser,  Andrew 
Maxwell,  Chas.  Wiegel,  Walter  Flemming,  Geo.  Brain  and 
C.  B.  Hauk. 

The  Secretary  of  State  issued  the  certificate  of  incor- 
poration 4,  Feb.,  1882. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Association  on  24,  March,  rules 
were  adopted  and  Messrs.  E.  L.  Barrett,  Jr.,  C.  B.  Hauk, 
Geo.  Brain,  Joseph  Foster  and  P.  T.  Spinning  were  elected 
trustees. 

The  Board  organized  on  28,  March,  1882,  by  electing 
Mr.  Hauk  as  president  and  Mr.  Barrett  as  treasurer  and 
secretary.  Mr.  Brain  made  an  offer  of  a  lot,  on  East  High 
street,  for  a  chapel,  provided  $1,200  was  raised  in  a  year 
to  build  it.  The  trustees  then  proceeded  to  secure  sub- 
scriptions. After  the  annual  meeting  in  1883,  steps  were 
taken  to  select  plans  and  push  the  work  of  securing  funds. 

Complications  however,  arose.  The  city  limits  were 
extended.  The  building  occupied,  then  came  under  the 
control  of  the  City  Board  of  Education.  This  Board  noti- 
fied the  School  that  they  could  no  longer  use  the  building. 
The  school  was,  therefore,  closed  in  the  fall  of  1883,  and 
remained  closed  all  winter  for  lack  of  a  place  of  meeting. 


90  TRANSFERRED  TO  CHURCH 

The  question  was  raised  by  Mr.  Brain  as  to  where  the 
title  of  the  lot  should  be  vested,  questioning  whether  the 
Association  was  a  sufficiently  permanent  body  to  hold  so 
valuable  a  realty. 

The  result  of  this  situation  was,  in  view  of  the  fact, 
that  the  work  had  been  carried  on  largely  by  members  of 
the  First  Church,  that  the  Trustees,  on  2,  June,  1883,  by  a 
unanimous  vote  authorized  Mr.  Barrett  to  offer  to  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  all  the  assets  of  the  Association  pro- 
vided they  would  complete  and  maintain  a  chapel  on  the 
lot  donated  by  Mr.  Brain.  The  proposition  was  duly  con- 
sidered by  the  Session,  and  it  was  agreed  to  undertake  the 
erection  and  maintenance  of  a  chapel  provided  that  the  lot 
was  granted  in  fee  simple  to  the  church,  and  sufficient 
funds  raised  in  a  reasonable  time  to  warrant  the  prosecu- 
tion of  the  work. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Association  accepted  these  condi- 
tions and  authorized  the  formal  transfer,  which  was  exe- 
cuted in  due  form.  The  lot  was  estimated  as  worth  $1,000 
and  subscriptions  and  cash  on  hand  amounted  to  about 
$800.  The  transfer  having  been  made,  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees of  the  Association  adjourned,  sine  die. 

A  committee  consisting  of  the  Messrs.  J.  S.  Crowell, 
chairman,  T.  F.  McGrew,  T.  J.  Pringle,  Am.  Winger  and 
H.  H.  Cumback  were  appointed  by  the  Session  and  Trus- 
tees as  a  building  committee. 

The  work  in  general  was  greatly  aided  by  the  Oakland 
Ladies'  Working  Society.  The  first  president  was  Mrs. 
Joseph  Foster. 

The  chapel  was  soon  completed  and  was  dedicated  on 
Sunday,  4,  June,  1884.  Since  then  it  has  been  open  for 
use  every  Sunday  except  the  day  of  the  funeral  of  the  late 
pastor.  Dr.  Proudfit. 

With  an  enrollment  in  the  Sunday  school  of  about  150, 


ENLylRGEMENT  91 

the  chapel  was  crowded  from  the  start.  The  requirements 
of  the  Primary  Department,  which  has  been  under  the  effi- 
cient management  of  Mrs.  Thomas  A.  McBeth  from  the 
beginning,  demanded  more  room.  They  simply  had  a  cor- 
ner of  the  room  curtained  off  for  their  use. 

A  request  was  made  to  the  trustees  for  a  separate 
room.  In  1892  an  addition  on  the  East  side  was  built, 
connecting  with  the  main  room  by  folding  doors.  The  new 
room  was  provided  with  an  organ  through  the  generosity 
of  Mr.  J.  S.  Crowell,  in  addition  to  the  organ  he  had  already 
given  for  the  use  of  the  main  room.  Mrs.  McBeth  has  had 
for  some  years  the  efficient  help  of  Mrs.  David  McGregor, 
of  the  Second  church.  This  department  is  the  pride  of 
the  school. 

When  the  church  was  recarpeted  the  chapel  fell  heir 
to  the  old  carpet,  and  at  the  same  time  was  repapered  and 
painted.  The  old  brass  chandelier  that  lighted  the  old 
church  for  many  years,  before  gas  was  introduced,  was 
rescued  from  the  rubbish  heap,  and  is  now  a  light-bearer 
in  the  chapel.  A  bell  was  also  provided  by  the  subscrip- 
tions of  those  living  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  school  has  had  a  very  great  influence  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, many  of  the  scholars  growing  into  sturdy  Christ- 
ian character,  and  uniting  with  various  churches.  Before 
the  street  car  line  was  built,  the  superintendent,  Mr.  Bar- 
rett, provided  for  a  year  or  more  a  conveyance  to  carry  the 
teachers  to  and  from  the  school. 

The  teaching  force  has  not  come  alone  from  the  First 
church,  the  Second  furnishing  a  number.  The  longest 
term  as  a  teacher,  twenty  years,  has  been  served  by  Mr. 
Cumback.  The  others  named  below  have  served  from  one 
to  sixteen  years,  viz:  William  Whitty,  W.  H.  Weir,  Thos 
A.  McBeth,  Mrs.  McBeth,  Mrs.  David  McGregor,  Mrs.  E» 
L.  Barrett,  Jr.,   Mrs.  Frank  McGregor,   the  Misses  Lulu 


92  PREACH  IMG  SERVICES 

Cumback,  Elizabeth  Brain,  Lida  McBeth,  Winwood  Mc- 
Beth,  Olive  McGregor,  Bertha  McGregor,  Grace  McGregor, 
Jennie  Ramsey,  Mary  Ramsey,  Josephine  Wiegel. 

There  is  a  flourishing  C.  E.  Society  of  about  thirty- 
five  members,  meeting  every  Sunday  at  6:30  p.  m.  Several 
attempts  have  been  made  to  maintain  regular  preaching 
services,  with  more  or  less  occasional  success.  Such  ser- 
vices have  been  held  by  the  Rev.  R.  D.  Wheatley  and  Dr. 
J.  S.  Rogers,  as  well  as  by  the  pastors.  It  was  at  Oakland 
that  Dr.  Proudfit  preached  his  last  sermon  on  28,  March, 
1896.  The  location  seems  to  be  the  logical  one  for  a  Fourth 
Presbyterian  church,  but  while  the  subject  is  occasionally 
suggested,  the  time  has  not  yet  arrived  for  such  an  organ- 
ization. 


THE  OCTOGENIAL  PHOTOGRAPH 

At  the  close  of  this  session  the  greater  part  of  the 
audience  assembled  in  the  rear  of  the  church,  where  Mr. 
J.  A.  Baumgardner,  the  photographer,  made  a  most  suc- 
cessful picture,  17  by  8  inches.  It  contains  about  250 
good  portraits. 


THE  OFFICERS  93 


Monday  Evening 

At  7:30  o'clock  the  church  was  again  filled  to  over- 
flowing. The  audience  was  composed  of  the  three  Pres- 
byterian churches  and  representatives  from  almost  every 
other  church  in  the  city.  After  a  brief  devotional  and 
song  service  the  following  papers  were  read : 

THE  OFFICERS  OF  THE  CHURCH 
By  H.  H.  Cumback 

On  this  auspicious  occasion  it  is  eminently  fitting  to 
call  to  mind  the  names  and  labors  of  those  who  have  been 
oflftcers  and  especially  of  those  who  have  entered  into  rest. 

Because  of  the  difficulty  encountered  in  securing  re- 
liable information  as  to  the  personal  history  of  some  of  the 
early  oflScials,  little  more  can  be  given  regarding  them, 
than  their  names,  official  relationship  and  time  of  service. 
It  is  gratifying  that  even  these  can  be  secured  and  pre- 
served, but  in  all  cases  the  sketches  must  necessarily  be 
brief. 
I,     The  Elders 

The  organization  of  the  church  was  completed  in  the 
election  and  ordination  of  Meljm  Baker  and  John  Hum- 
phreys as  ruling  elder.  Isaac  Teller,  Jr.,  by  request,  acted 
as  clerk  until  25,  June,  1820,  when  Mr.  Melyn  Baker  was 
appointed. 

Mr.  Baker  was  a  man  of  age  and  experience,  recog. 
nized  by  his  associates  as  a  man  of  faith  and  prayer. 

Mr.  Humphreys  was  peculiarly  fitted  by  his  early 
training  in  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  by  his  sturdy 


94  THE  OFFICERS 

Christian  character,  to  assume  the  grave  responsibilities 
imposed  upon  him.  He  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  Session, 
30,  June,  1827,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  year 
1833.  He  was  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage,  born  in  North  Ire- 
land in  the  year  1764,  united  with  the  Presbyterian  church 
there  in  1787,  came  to  this  country  in  1789  and  to  Clark 
county  in  1799.  He  died,  7,  March,  1857,  at  the  age  of  93 
years. 

Charles  Spinning  and  Thomas  Thompson  were  elected 
elders  and  ordained  August,  1823.  Of  Mr.  Thompson 
nothing  reliable  has  been  learned.  Mr.  Spinning  was  born 
in  1793,  lived  to  celebrate  his  golden  wedding  in  1875,  and 
died  in  Dayton  in  1877  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age. 

Jonathan  Lehman  was  elected  an  elder  in  July,  1829^ 
and  died  in  the  year  1879.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  Second  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  was  an 
honored  member  and  ruling  elder  until  his  death. 

The  church  was  incorporated  and  the  first  trustees 
elected  in  1829.  John  Ambler,  Oliver  Armstrong,  John 
Humphreys,  Pierson  Spinning,  Adam  Stewart  and  Thomas 
S.  Towler  constituted  the  board. 

In  1833  Josiah  Spencer  and  James  S.  Christie  were 
elected  elders.  Elder  Christie  was  appointed  clerk  of  the 
Session,  27,  Nov.,  1833.  It  is  not  known  how  long  he 
served  as  such,  but  Stephen  Brown  appears  to  have  been 
his  successor. 

Josiah  Spencer  united  with  this  church  from  a  Con- 
gregational church  in  Connecticut.  When  the  Congrega- 
gational  church  in  this  city  was  organized  he  became  one 
of  its  charter  members.  He  was  born  in  New  Hartford, 
Conn.,  in  1781,  and  died  in  this  city  in  1864  at  the  ripe  age 
of  83  years. 

James  S.  Christie  left  the  impress  of  his  life  and  char- 
acter upon  the  community  and  especially  upon  the  church. 


THE  OFFICERS  95 

which  will  be  felt  for  years  to  come.  To  those  who  knew 
him,  his  untiring  zeal  and  devotion  to  the  cause  of  Christ, 
was  ever  an  inspiration  to  higher  Christian  attainments. 
The  affectionate  regard  with  which  he  was  held  by  his 
brethren  of  the  Session  is  shown  by  the  following  record. 
On  Monday,  22,  Jan.,  1883,  the  Session  received  the  follow- 
ing communication  from  Father  Christie: 

"  Brethren  of  the  Session,  and  the  Congregation  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Springfield — This  is  my 
Jubilee  year  as  an  elder  in  the  church,  and  owing  to  my 
advanced  age  and  physical  disability  I  feel  that  I  can  no 
longer  fill  the  oflSce  as  it  should  be,  having  served  or  held 
the  office  for  half  a  century,  I  very  respectfully  ask  to  be 
excused  from  official  duty. 

Very  respectfully  and  fraternally, 

22,  Jan.,  1886.  J.  S.  Christie." 

In  response  to  this  request  the  Session  unanimously 
adopted  the  following: 

"Whereas,  Brother  Jas.  S.  Christie  has  served  this 
congregation  faithfully  as  a  member  of  the  Session  of  this 
church  for  fifty  years,  and,  whereas,  by  reason  of  age  and 
physical  infirmity,  he  has  requested  to  be  relieved  from 
official  duty,  therefore  be  it  resolved  by  this  Session  that 
we  desire  to  record  our  appreciation  of  the  zeal  and  faith- 
fulness of  Father  Christie  in  his  half  century  of  service, 
and  we  hope  that  until  the  day,  when  he  shall  be  called  to 
service  in  the  home  not  made  with  hands,  he  may  be  one  of 
us,  and  that  when  his  health  and  strength  permit,  he  will 
sit  with  us,  giving  us  the  pleasure  of  his  presence  and  the 
benefit  of  his  counsel.  But  in  view  of  his  age  and  failing 
strength  he  is  hereby,  at  his  own  request,  released  from  all 
further  active  duties;  and  be  it  further  resolved,  that  as  a 
testimonial  of  our  appreciation  of  his  long  and  faithful 
service,  we  purchase  an  elegantly  bound  bible,  have  a  care- 


96  THE  OFFICERS 

fully  engrossed  copy  of  these  resolutions,  bearing  the  auto- 
graph signatures  of  the  present  Session  neatly  inserted 
within  its  cover,  and  that  it  be  presented  to  Father 
Christie  by  our  pastor,  at  the  approaching  church  social." 

Jas.  S.  Christie  was  born  in  New  Boston,  N.  H.,  6» 
Sept.,  1798,  came  to  Springfield  in  1817,  was  an  elder  in 
this  church  fifty-one  years,  and  died  in  this  city,  21,  Nov., 
1884,  aged  86  years. 

During  this  period  of  nineteen  years,  from  1834  to 
1853,  of  which  we  have  no  written  record,  it  is  known  that 
the  following  persons,  at  various  dates,  were  chosen  and 
ordained  to  the  eldership:  Isaac  Ward,  Samson  Mason, 
Jesse  Christie,  Levi  Lathrop,  George  Hays,  John  Ulrich» 
Stephen  Brown  and  Erwin  M.  Doty.  All  able  men  of 
character,  influence  and  piety. 

Elder  Ward  was  full  of  devotion  to  all  the  interests  of 
the  church,  gave  much  time  to  visitation,  he  was  born  in 
1796  and  died  in  1863,  aged  67  years. 

General  Samson  Mason  is  one  to  whom  the  church 
owes  much.  Born  at  Fort  Ann,  N.  Y.,  in  1793,  he  came  to 
this  city  in  1818.  He  was  converted  in  boyhood.  He  was 
a  lawyer  of  eminent  ability,  served  in  the  State  Legislature 
and  in  Congress.  His  public  life  was  stainless.  He  died 
in  1869. 

Four  elders  of  this  period,  Messrs.  James  and  Jesse 
Christie,  Jerome  B.  Wertz  and  Gen.  Mason  were  in  connec- 
tion with  this  church  over  fifty  years  and  passed  their 
entire  Christian  life  in  its  membership. 

Jesse  Christie,  a  younger  brother  of  Jas.  S.,  was  born 
in  New  Boston,  N.  H.,  1802,  was  chosen  an  elder  in  1841, 
declining  re-election  in  1876.  He  died  in  1883,  aged  82 
years. 

John  Ulrich  was  born  in  Reading,  Pa.,  in  1818.  He 
united  with  this  church  in  1838  and  was  ordained  an  elder 


THE  OFFICERS  97 

under  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Burt.  He  had  a  remarkably 
complete  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  the  graces  of  pa- 
tience and  resignation  shone  brightly  through  his  long 
years  of  suftoiing.     He  died  in  1899,  in  his  82nd  year. 

Dr.  Stephen  Brown,  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  be- 
came an  elder  in  this  church  in  1851  and  served  until  the 
organization  of  the  Second  church.     He  died  in  1895. 

Edward  M.  Doty,  chosen  an  elder  in  1853,  served  until 
1860,  going  also  into  the  Second  church.    He  died  in  1884. 

After  the  organization  of  the  Second  church  there  were 
but  three  elders  left.  Gen.  Mason  and  the  Messrs.  Christie. 
There  were  elected  to  the  eldership  on  28,  Jan.  1861,  the 
Messrs.  J.  D.  Sharon,  Geo.  Coles,  W.  P.  Gray,  Dr.  E.  M. 
Buckingham  and  Jerome  B.  Wertz. 

J.  D.  Sharon,  a  lawyer  by  profession,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1821,  came  here  in  1859,  served  as  elder 
for  ten  3'ears,  died  in  1879. 

George  Coles,  a  native  of  Long  Island,  born  1809,  came 
here  in  1835,  removed  in  1842  and  refnrned  in  1856. 
After  some  two  years  service  he  removed  to  Troy,  O.,  and 
did  efficient  work.     He  died  in  1893,  aged  84  years. 

W,  P.  Gray  was  a  man  of  venerable  and  imposing 
appearance,  of  exalted  character,  born  in  1803,  came  here 
in  1803.  He  had  served  as  an  elder  in  Portsmouth  and 
Sandusky.      He  died  in  1888,  aged  85  years. 

Dr.  E.  M.  BueUngham  was  born  in  Athens,  O,,  1824, 
came  here  in  1843.  He  was  prominent  and  successful  as  a 
physician.  He  was  earnest  and  faithful  in  his  service  of 
the  church.     He  died,  aged  sixty  years,  in  1884. 

Jerome  B.  Wertz,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1807,  united 
with  this  church  on  confession  of  faith  in  1833.  He  was 
therefore  a  member  of  this  church  for  over  fift3^-seven  years 
and  was  an  elder  in  it  for  forty-two.  He  lived  a  quiet, 
consistent  unobtrusive  Christian  life,  dying  in  1890. 


98  THE  OFFICERS 

Shephard  Dunlap,  elected  an  elder  1871.  He  came 
from  Red  Oak,  O.,  born  in  1817.  He  died  in  his  78th  year 
in  1895. 

John  B.  Wiseman,  born  in  Scotland  in  1840,  was 
elected  an  elder  in  1876  and  died  two  3-ears  later. 

Edwin  L,  Barrett,  born  in  Ashbiirnham,  Mass.,  in 
1827,  came  here  in  1861,  served  several  years  as  a  chorister. 
He  served  both  as  deacon  and  trustee,  chosen  as  eider  in 
1876.  He  was  regarded  as  a  valued  and  competent  officer 
in  whatever  position  he  served.  He  died  in  1898,  in  his 
70th  year": 

The  following  list  includes  the  names  of  all  who  have 
served  as  elders  with  their  dates  of  service  where  known. 
Those  deceased  are  marked  *.  Those  still  serving  are 
marked  — . 


*John  Humphreys 

*Melyn  Baker 

*Chas.  H.  Spinning 
*Thomas  Thompson 
*Jonathau  Lehman 
*Josiah  Spencer  — 
*  James  S.  Christie. 
*Isaac  Ward     ... 

*John  G.  Hayes 

*Levi  Lathrop 

*Samson  Mason. . . 
*Jessie  Christie. . . . 

*John  Ulrich 

^Stephen  Brown.. . . 
*Edward  M.  Doty. . 

*J.  D.  Sharon 

*Geo.  Coles 

*Wm.  P.  Gray 

*E.  M.  Buckingham 

*J.  B.  Wertz 

H.  H.  Cumback. . . 
*Shephard  Dunlap. 


i 
1 

a   Eh'  I 

■^-^  1 

1819 

1819 

1824 

1824 

1829 

1838 

1833 

0 
1853 

1853 

1860 

1853 

1860 

1861 

1876 

1861 

1861 

1878 

1861 

1876 

1861 

1890 

1871 

— 

1871 

1878 

*Edwin  L.Barrett.. 

A.  M.  Burbank. . . . 

Alex.  R.  Cobaugh. 

David  King 

Robert  Schultz 

John  H.  Thomas.  . 

William  Whitty.  . 
*John  B.  Wiseman. 

R.  8.  Thompson. . . 

Wm.  H.  Weir 

N.  H.  Andrews. .    . 

Thos.  F.  McGrew. . 

John  S.  Crowell. . . 

Geo.  C. Hall  (5  mo.) 

Theo.F.  Bliss,  M.D. 

Matthew  Gushing. 

Edward  L.  Barrett 

J.  H.  Mulholland.. 

Thos.  A.  McBeth. . 

Samuel  W.  Wilson 

JohnT.  Rice 


1876 
1876 
1876 
1876 
1876 
1876 
1876 
1876 
1878 
1878 
1880 
1882 
1883 
1885 
1886 
1888 
1890 
1891 
1892 
1896 
1890 


1890 
1882 
1882 
1887 
1878 
1896 

1878 
1887 

1883 


1885 


THE  OFFICERS  99 

II.     The  Deacons 

The  first  board  of  Deacons  was  elected  under  the  pas- 
torate of  Dr.  Scovel. 

Dr,  Robert  Rodger s  was  one  of  these;  he  was  one  of 
the  very  early  members.  His  donation  of  a  lot  was  the  be- 
ginning of  the  movement  that  resulted  in  the  organization 
of  the  Third  church.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in 
1807,  went  with  the  Second  church,  and  became  one  of  its 
elders,  dying  in  1880. 

In  1861  the  following  were  chosen  Deacons:  Mr. 
Samuel  McPherson,  Dr.  Alexander  Dunlap,  Mr.  Geo. 
Steele  and  Mr.  Abram  McCoy. 

Br.  Dunlap  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  came  here  in  1815, 
was  greatly  honored  in  his  profession,  died  in  1894. 

George  Steele  came  from  New  Jersey  in  1855,  died  in 
1881. 

Abram  Smith  Me  Coy  came  from  near  Mercersburg,  Pa., 
in  1850.  He  united  with  the  Second  church  at  its  organi- 
zation. 

J,  W.  Jarrett  was  born  in  1830  in  West  Virginia.  He 
was  chosen  a  deacon  in  1871.  He  was  very  active  in  the 
Sunday  school  and  in  evangelistic  meetings.  He  died  in 
1887. 

Joseph  R.  Johnson  was  born  in  1819.  Came  here  1887, 
elected  as  deacon  in  1888.     He  died  in  1892. 

Capt.  Samuel  A,  Todd  was  born  1836  in  this  county. 
He  united  with  this  church  on  examination  in  1886,  was 
elected  deacon  in  1888.  His  army  experiences  in  exposures 
and  privations  so  affected  his  health  that  for  the  latter 
part  of  his  life  he  was  called  upon  to  suffer  much.  He  died 
suddenly,  a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ,  in  1898. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  those  who  have  served  as 
deacons  so  far  as  has  been  ascertained : 

Dr.  Robert  Rodgers  for  probably  ten  years,  prior  to 


100  THE  OFFICERS 

1861;  Samuel  McPherson,  1861;  George  Steele,  1861; 
Alexander  Dunlap,  1861;  A.  S.  McCoy,  1861;  J.  W.  Jarrett, 
1871-87;  William  Whitty,  1871-76;  Wm.  H.  Black 
1880-88;  John  T.  Rice,  1880-1891;  Joseph  R.  Johnson, 
1888;  S.  A.  Todd,  1888;  Sam'l  W.Wilson,  1891-96;  Edwin 
L.  Barrett,  1893;  C.  C.  Cory,  1896;  David  King,  1896; 
Am.  Winger,  1896;  Josiah  B.  Espy,  1899;  J.  A.  Humphreys, 
1899; 
III.     The  Trustees. 

The  Trustees  chosen  b}^  this  church  from  the  time  it 
became  incorporated  have  been  of  the  greatest  value  in 
sustaining  its  work  and  giving  it  its  leading  position  in 
the  community.  Owing  to  the  fact  that  all  records  of  the 
Board  prior  to  1861  have  been  lost  and  only  scant  refer- 
ences being  found  in  other  records,  no  extended  sketch  can 
be  made  of  more  than  a  few  of  those  who  have  died. 

David  King,  Sr.,  was  of  the  early  trustees.  He  was 
endowed  with  indefatigable  energy,  combined  with  business 
ability  of  high  order.  He  was  a  public  spirited  man,  and 
identified  with  almost  every  laudable  enterprise  which  had 
in  view  the  advancement  of  the  welfare  of  the  community. 
He  was  the  efficient  ehairman  of  the  Building  Committee 
when  the  church  was  reconstructed  in  1848-9.  Mr.  King 
was  born  in  the  year  1796,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  his  early  life  was  spent,  in  1841  he  came  to  this  city 
where  he  died  in  1849. 

John  C.  Buxton  was  at  one  time  President  of  the  Board- 
He  was  born  in  New  Boston,  N.  H.,  1828,  came  to  Spring- 
field, 1848.  He  was  a  keen,  active,  far-seeing  and  success- 
ful business  man.     He  died  in  1880. 

Joseph  S.  Muzzy  rendered  the  church  valuable  service 
as  a  trustee.  He  was  secretarj^  of  the  board  at  the  time  of 
the  enlargement  of  the  present  building.  He  came  from 
Vermont  in  1817,  died  1877. 


THE  OFFICERS  101 

Andrew  C.  Blaek  is  a  name  that  is  held  in  high  esteem 
in  this  church.  He  was  one  of  Springfield's  most  noble 
hearted  and  generous  citizens.  His  ardent  affection  for 
the  very  stones  and  bricks  of  the  building,  which  he  so 
often  expressed,  was  not  mere  sentiment.  He  was  as  prac- 
tical and  faithful  as  he  professed  to  be.  He  was  born  in 
North  Ireland,  of  Scotch  stock,  in  1828,  came  here  in  1847, 
and  died  in  1892. 

From  the  records  of  the  trustees  since  1861,  the  fol- 
lowing facts  have  been  gathered  as  to  names  and  dates: 

The  presidents  have  been:  Jas.  A.  Mitchell  in  1861; 
Thomas  F.  McGrew,  1862-65;  Jos.  Counts,  1866-67;  J.  C. 
Buxton,  1868-72;  John  H.  Thomas,  1873-77,  80-85;  J.  C. 
Buxton,  1878-79;  A.  C.  Black,  1886-89;  C.  C.  Fried,  1890- 
92;  W.  S.  Thomas,  1893-1900. 

The  secretaries  have  been:  W.  A.  McGrew,  1861-65; 
Jas.  L.  Torbert,  1866-67;  J.  S.  Muzzy,  1868-73;  J.  C.  Bux- 
ton, 1874-76;  W.  H.  Hamilton,  1877-79;  J.  S.  Barr,  1880- 
84;  Am.  Winger,  1885-89;  J.  W.  Murphy,  1890-1900. 

The  treasurers  have  been:  R.  Q.  King,  1861-65,  74-87; 
Jos.  Counts,  1866;  A.  Raffensberger,  1867-73;  W.  S. 
Thomas,  1888-91;  Ed.  Harford,  1892-93;  Samuel  Clark, 
1894;  John  T.  Rice,  1895-1900. 

Others  who  have  served  the  church  as  trustees, 
not  mentioned  above  are:  Dr.  Robert  Rodgers,  J.  A. 
McCreight,  J.  W.  Rinehart,  David  Cooper,  Samuel  McPher- 
son,  Jas.  Driscol,  Geo.  Driscol,  Edwin  L.  Barrett,  W.  H. 
Hamilton,  J.  K.  Harris,  T.  J.  Pringle,  L.  B.  Corry,  M.  L. 
Millio^an. 


102  SECOND  CHURCH 


SKETCH  OF  THE  SECOND  CHURCH 
By  Paul  Curtis  Martin 

If  it  is  diflScult  to  tell  the  story  of  a  nation,  if  a  genius 
is  needed  to  draw  a  true  picture  of  the  life  of  a  great  man, 
who  then  shall  attempt  successfully  to  trace  the  life  of  a 
church,  a  composite  of  the  material  and  the  spiritual,  an 
amalgam  of  soul  and  body,  of  the  finite  and  the  infinite? 

To  obtain  an  accurate  view  of  the  life  of  a  church,  is 
made  more  diflScult,  in  view  of  the  personal  equation  of  the 
church  historian.  His  estimate  of  spiritual  conditions 
varies  with  the  rise  and  fall  of  his  own  spiritual  life.  We 
have  no  fixed  standard  of  comparison  by  which  to  render 
judgment,  no  spiritual  calorimeter  to  measure  the  presence 
of  the  divine  fire.  It  is  this  personal  equation,  this  change 
in  the  point  of  view  with  every  change  in  the  spiritual  con- 
dition of  the  observer,  that  makes  it  hazardous  to  estimate 
the  scope  and  influence  of  that  which  is  essentially 
spiritual.  Conscious  of  these  limitations  which  surround 
my  eflTorts,  I  will  endeavor  briefly  to  sketch  the  outlines  of 
the  life  of  the  church  which  I  have  the  honor  to  represent 
on  this  occasion. 

The  Second  Presbyterian  Church  was  not  the  ofl'spring 
of  schism  or  discord.  It  was  the  result  of  the  natural 
growth  of  the  denomination  in  Springfield,  of  prayerful 
deliberation  and  earnest  efl'ort.  On  Monday  the  22d  of 
October,  1860,  the  Session  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  considered  the  question  of  the  organization  of 
another  church,  and  a  committee  was  selected  to  report 
concerning  the  advisability  of  such  a  step.  This  commit- 
tee found  that  the  formation   of  a   Second   Presbyterian 


SECOND  CHURCH  103 

Church  was  an  urgent  necessit}^,  and  impelled  by  the 
divine  spirit  of  leadership  they  did  not  say  "go,"  but 
"come,"  by  resolving  "that  the  division  in  this  church 
commence  with  the  Session."  A  petition  was  circulated  to 
secure  the  signatures  of  those  willing  to  become  colonists, 
and  the  mother  church  decided  to  give  to  her  child,  be- 
sides her  blessing  and  good  will,  the  birth  right  of  $4,000, 
a  substantial  token  of  support. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  colonists  was  held  in  the  Ses- 
sion room  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  13,  Nov.,  1860, 
and  a  committee  was  appointed  as  their  representatives  at 
a  congregational  meeting,  which  was  to  be  held  two  days 
later.  At  this  meeting  the  action  of  the  Session  and  the 
colonists  was  approved  and  heartily  endorsed.  On  the 
19th  of  the  same  month  a  second  meeting  of  the  colonists 
was  held  and  a  committee  appointed  to  prepare  a  place  of 
worship  and  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  Miami  Presbytery  to 
sanction  the  organization  of  the  new  church.  The  Rev. 
James  L.  Rodgers,  whom  we  all  lovingly  remember  for  his 
faithful  and  helpful  ministrations,  was  selected  as  the 
representative  of  the  embryonic  organization  to  the  Pres- 
bytery. On  the  fourth  day  of  December,  1860,  the  Miami 
Presbytery  met  in  Springfield,  and  in  response  to  the  prayers 
of  the  petitioners  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  became 
a  reality. 

The  first  elders  elected  were  Messrs.  Isaac  Ward, 
Jonathan  Lehman,  E.  N.  Doty,  Stephen  Brown,  Samuel 
Shellebarger  (who  declined  to  serve),  and  Cyrus  A.  Phelps, 
who  for  thirty-nine  years  have  aided  in  leading  this  church 
from  small  to  greater  things.  Robert  Rodgers,  William 
Anderson,  Samuel  Clark  and  Milton  Gray  were  the  first 
deacons.  Of  these  first  servants  of  the  church  all  but  one 
have  passed  from  the  church  militant  to  the  church  tri- 
umphant. 


104  SECOND  CHURCH 

The  first  trustees  were  Richard  A.  Harrison,  William 
Roflgers,  Maddox  W.  Fisher,  Charles  Rabbits  and  Marsh- 
field  Steele.  On  Sunday  the  16th  of  December,  1860,  the 
first  service  of  the  church  was  held  in  Union  Hall,  a  service 
which  must  have  been  full  of  praise  for  past  blessings,  and 
prayer  for  guidance  in  an  undertaking  which  was  to  mean 
so  much  for  the  future  of  Presbyterianism  in  this 
city. 

The  first  pastor  was  Edwin  R.  Bower,  who  was  called, 
2,  Jan.,  1861.  During  his  ministry,  the  building  which 
still  serves  us  as  a  place  of  worship,  was  erected,  and  dedi- 
cated, 3,  Sept.,  1863.  Time  forbids  more  than  a  rapid 
glance  at  the  successive  periods  in  the  history  of  the 
church,  at  its  trials  and  its  triumphs. 

After  a  faithful  and  earnest  service  of  six  j-ears,  Mr. 
Bower  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Philip  H.  Mowry,  who 
five  years  labored  successfully  among  us,  and  in  turn  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  William  Webb,  who  was  installed  on 
5,  June,  1S74.  His  was  the  longest  pastorate  in  the  history 
of  the  church.  During  the  twelve  years  of  his  ministry, 
the  church  maintained  a  steady,  healthful  growth. 

In  1880  the  church  called  the  Rev.  George  H.  Fuller- 
ton,  D.  D.,  of  Cincinnati,  who,  though  now  parted  from  us, 
is  loved  and  honored  by  all  who  have  enjoyed  the  blessings 
of  his  ministry,  and  have  felt  the  touch  of  his  consecrated 
life.  On  the  8th  of  Maj^  1892,  our  present  pastor,  the  Rev. 
Edwin  P.  Thompson,  was  installed.  He  found  the  church 
greatly  weakened  by  the  withdrawal  of  a  large  part  of  its 
membership,  to  form  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church.  To- 
day the  church  is  perhaps  stronger  and  more  active  than 
ever  before  in  its  history.  Under  his  ministry  264  mem- 
bers have  been  added,  the  church  edifice  has  been  prac- 
tically rebuilt,  the  benevolences  have  been  largely  in- 
creased, the  many  organizations  have  been  vitalized  and  a 


^^ 


SECOND  CHURCH  105 

new  mission  has  been  established  in  a  neglected  portion  of 
our  city. 

May  I  summarize  the  results  of  thirty-nine  years  of 
earnest  labor?  The  first  membership  of  the  church  was 
106;  it  is  now  402.  $188,552.23  has  been  contributed  for 
congregational  purposes,  $70,157.50  for  benevolence,  making 
a  total  of  $258,709.73  for  all  purposes.  But  such  facts  as 
these  furnish  but  a  feeble  estimate  of  the  influence  of  any 
church. 

But  forgetting  those  things  which  are  behind  and 
pressing  on  to  those  things  which  are  before,  the  first  born 
son  of  Presbyterianism  in  this  city,  today  comes  home 
bearing  greetings  and  goodwill  to  the  mother  church. 

Let  us  turn  for  a  moment  to  some  of  the  essential 
characteristics  of  this  church,  those  features  which  give  it 
individuality.  It  has  been  primarily  a  city  church,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  one  with  a  local  constituency  and  member- 
ship. In  the  center  of  the  rush  of  business  life,  our  church 
has  stood  "like  a  great  rock  in  a  weary  land,"  stemming 
the  drifting  tides  of  the  material  world  which  break 
against  it,  never  seeking  more  congenial  station,  its  very 
walls  pointing  above  time  to  eternity,  while  in  its  shadow 
souls  have  been  refreshed  before  taking  up  again  the 
burdens  of  life. 

Again,  we  may  say  that  unity  has  marked  the  life  of 
our  church.  Perhaps  many  who  hear  will  say  that  a  com- 
pletely unified  church  is  an  anomaly.  But  what  do  the 
facts  tell  us?  This  church  has  had  but  five  pastors,  an 
average  pastorate  of  nearly  eight  years. 

May  we  not  say  that  ours  has  been  a  conservative 
church?  By  this  I  mean  that  it  has  been  conservative  as 
Presbyterianism  is  conservative,  unwilling  to  cast  aside 
the  heritage  of  the  past,  merely  because  it  is  old,  yet 
ready  to  adopt  new  methods  and  resources  which   may  be 


106  SECOND  CHURCH 

adapted  to  its  work.  The  services  of  the  church  have  re- 
mained simple  and  plain.  If  our  church  has  been  con- 
servative it  has  also  been  evangelistic  in  spirit  and 
in  method,  testifying  that  its  conservatism  has  been  an 
anchor  and  not  a  heavy  burden. 

I  must  speak  of  what  has  seemed,  to  many,  the 
most  distinguishing  feature  of  the  life  of  the  church,  the 
work  among  the  children.  The  success  of  this  work  has 
not  rested  upon  any  unique  method,  but  it  is  due  to  the 
personality  and  character  of  two  of  God's  servants  richly 
endowed  with  his  spirit,  Mrs.  Isaac  Ward  and  Mrs.  George 
C.  O.  Frankenburg.  The  pioneer  in  this  work,  Mrs.  Ward, 
is  now  resting  from  her  labors,  lovingly  remembered  by 
hundreds  who  have  felt  the  impress  of  her  life.  But 
though  she  has  passed  from  us,  her  work  lives  on.  To- 
night there  are  gathered  here,  many  members  of  that  ever- 
growing company  of  children,  many  of  them  men  and 
women  now,  to  whom  Mrs.  Frankenburg  has  told  the  story 
which  never  grows  old,  which  falls  from  her  lips  with  added 
power,  because  of  her  consecrated  life.  I  am  proud  to- 
night to  be  of  that  band  of  men,  some  of  whom  have 
climbed  high  upon  life's  hillsides,  who  will  alwa3'S  hold 
a  place  in  her  heart,  will  always  be  "her  boys." 

The  occasion  which  draws  us  together  at  this  time 
suggests  to  our  minds  a  modern  picture  as  3'et  unfaded 
from  the  world's  memory.  It  is  the  jubilee  of  England's 
queen.  Crowned  with  the  faithful  service  of  three  score 
years,  the  noblest  crown  ever  worn  b}"  any  sovereign,  she 
takes  her  place  in  the  jubilee  procession.  Her  sons  of 
every  land  are  there. 

Today  our  mother  church  holds  jubilee.  Garlanded 
with  the  fruitage  of  four  score  years,  she  girds  herself 
for  greater  service.  Her  children  have  come  back  to  the 
old  home.      Bred  of  her  faith  and  raised  in  the  precepts  of 


THIRD  CHURCH  107 

her  life,  they  have  taken  up  her  work  as  colonists.    Though 

parted  from  the  mother  church,  they  remember  that  they 

are  one  in  spirit,  in  hope,  in  aim. 

"We  of  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  are  one  with 

you  tonight.     Ours  is  a   common    heritage,    a    common 

birth-right. 

"  Our  hopes,  our  joys,  our  prayers,  our  fears, 
Our  faith  triumphant  through  our  fears, 
Are  all  with  thee,  are  all  with  thee." 

SKETCH  OF  THE  THIRD  CHURCH 
By  John  S.  Weaver 

Our  history  is,  in  large  part,  a  history  of  mission  work 
carried  on,  upon  the  North  Side,  by  members  of  the  First 
and  Second  churches.  This  work  was  begun  on,  11,  Feb., 
1877,  by  the  organization  of  a  Sabbath  School  at  the  home 
of  Mrs.  Eliza  Killen.  A  few  Christian  women  had  spent 
weeks  of  canvassing  and  gathered  together  the  material 
for  its  commencement.  At  the  first  meeting  there  were 
present  in  all,  fifty-five  persons.  Before  the  end  of  the  first 
year  the  number  had  increased  to  such  an  extent  that 
more  commodious  quarters  were  necessary,  and  a  room  was 
secured  in  the  Northern  school  building. 

In  the  fall  of  1878  the  First  and  Second  churches 
jointly  erected  a  chapel  at  the  corner  of  Mason  street  and 
Stanton  avenue,  upon  a  lot  donated  for  that  purpose  by  the 
heirs  of  the  late  Dr.  Robert  Rodgers,  and  this  chapel  was 
dedicated,  12,  February,  1879,  that  being  the  second  anni- 
versary of  the  organization  of  the  school.  The  two 
churches  also  jointly  bore  the  expenses  of  the  school  from 
its  beginning  until  1,  October,  1887,  when  the  work  passed 
into  the  hands  of  the  Second  church  alone. 

The  first  superintendent  of  the  school  was  Mr.  Richard 
B.  Rodgers,  who  continued  to  act  in  that  capacity  until  the 


108  THIRD  CHURCH 

opening  of  the  winter  of  1880,  when  sickness  in  his  family 
compelled  him  to  relinquish  his  acceptable  and  successful 
office.  Mr.  James  Christie  then  became  superintendent^ 
and  efficiently  served  the  school  until  May,  1881,  when  ill 
health  compelled  him  to  retire.  Mr.  George  H.  Hall  was 
then  elected  to  fill  his  place,  and  did  so  with  zeal  and  at- 
tention until  the  summer  of  1882,  when  he  resigned  to  be- 
come superintendent  of  the  First  Church  School.  Mr. 
John  S.  Weaver  then  became  superintendent,  and  con. 
tinned  until  the  spring  of  1884,  when  he  left  the  city. 
Upon  his  return,  in  1887,  he  resumed  the  position  which 
he  held  until  after  the  organization  of  the  Third  Church. 

In  October,  1887,  the  Second  Church  engaged  the  Rev. 
W.  G.  Smith,  then  a  theological  student  at  Wittenberg 
College,  to  hold  preaching  services  every  Sabbath  morning 
in  the  chapel,  and  the  results  of  his  labors  were  most 
marked.  The  congregations  increased,  and  the  Sabbath 
School  grew  so  large  that  an  addition  to  the  building  was 
erected  in  the  summer  of  1888.  During  the  time  of  Mr. 
Smith's  labors  a  number  of  persons  were  received  into  the 
church,  and  he  served  the  field  with  fidelity  and  success 
until  April,  1890,  when,  having  finished  his  theological 
studies,  he  left  the  city  to  accept  a  pastorate  within  the 
bounds  of  his  own  denomination.  During  his  service  the 
pra3'er  meeting  was  established  and  it  added  much  to  the 
success  of  the  work.  The  Rev.  R.  D.  Wheatley,  who  had 
just  finished  his  studies  at  Lane  Seminary,  then  entered 
upon  the  work,  giving  half  his  time  to  this  field,  the  other 
half  being  given  to  the  Oakland  Chapel  of  the  First 
Church,  and  remained  with  us  a  year.  Within  that  time  a 
number  were  received  into  the  church  and  the  work 
prospered. 

Another  important  factor  which  should  be  mentioned, 
and  which  doubtless  contributed  as  much   to   the  success 


THIRD  CHURCH  109 

of  the  entire  work  as  any  other  single  agency,  was  the 
Woman's  Missionary  Society,  organized  in  February,  1888, 
which  adopted  as  a  rule  the  principle  that  no  money  should 
be  raised  for  its  treasury  by  fairs  or  festivals,  and  that  no 
child  upon  the  North  Side  should  stay  away  from  Sabbath 
School  because  of  not  having  sufficient  clothing  to  wear. 
Alas,  that  such  high  and  noble  principles  do  not  animate 
more  of  our  church  societies ! 

Out  of  such  beginnings  there  grew  the  organization 
now  known  as  The  Third  Presbyterian  Church  of  Spring- 
field, Ohio. 

In  addition  to  the  force  mentioned  that  have  contrib- 
uted to  this  organization,  the  names  of  three  men  should 
be  mentioned,  whose  friendship  for  the  work  and  whose 
helpful  services  were  ever  proffered  and  always  freely  given: 
Rev.  James  Dunlap,  Rev.  James  L.  Rodgers  and  Mr.  C.  A. 
Phelps.  The  first  two  have  joined  the  church  above.  The 
third  was  an  honored  aud  beloved  teacher  in  the  Sabbath 
school  for  many  years. 

The  first  preliminary  step  toward  the  organization  of 
the  Third  church  was  taken  at  a  meeting  of  the  Session  of 
the  Second  church  at  the  home  of  Elder  L.  H.  Olds,  9, 
March,  1891,  at  which  a  committee  consisting  of  Richard 
H.  Rodgers  and  John  S.  Weaver  was  appointed  for  the  pur- 
pose of  securing  the  signatures  of  such  members  of  Pres- 
byterian churches  residing  on  the  North  Side,  as  were 
willing  to  enter  into  the  movement,  to  a  petition  to  be  pre- 
sented to  Presbytery  at  its  April  meeting,  asking  that 
body  to  organize  a  Presbyterian  church,  if  the  way  be 
found  clear,  upon  the  North  Side,  and  to  associate  with 
themselves,  if  possible,  some  member  or  members  of  the 
First  Presbyterian  church  to  assist  in  procuring  such  sig- 
natures. 

On  6,  April,  1891,  a  joint  meeting  of  the  Sessions  of 


110  THIRD  CHURCH 

the  First  and  Second  churches  was  held  in  the  pastor's 
study  of  the  First  church  for  the  purpose  of  considering 
jointly  the  question  of  organizing  a  Third  church  on  the 
North  Side  of  the  city.  I  quote  from  the  minutes  of  that 
meeting:  "After  a  free  interchange  of  opinions,  harmo- 
nious expressions  of  a  tender  love  for  the  Church  of  Christ, 
and  desire  for  the  extension  of  His  kingdom,  it  was  unan- 
imously resolved:  That  the  Sessions  of  the  First  and  Sec- 
ond Presbyterian  churches  of  Springfield,  Ohio,  unite  in 
the  recommendation  that  a  Third  Presbyterian  church  now 
be  formed  upon  the  North  Side,  and  it  is  recommended 
that  the  congregations  represented  by  us  unite  in  support 
of  that  measure.  A  committee  consisting  of  Elders  Rich- 
ard H.  Rodgers  and  John  S.  Weaver  having  been  previously 
appointed  to  obtain  names  of  persons  disposed  to  unite 
with  a  Third  church,  it  was  farther  resolved:  That  the 
said  committee  be  continued  and  authorized  to  obtain  sig- 
natures of  such  members  to  a  petition  asking  Presbytery 
to  organize  a  Third  Presbyterian  church,  and  that  this 
committee  press  forward  the  work  previous  to  the  meeting 
of  Presbytery." 

This  petition  containing  forty-eight  names  was  pre- 
sented to  Presbytery,  and  a  committee  was  thereupon  ap- 
pointed to  organize  the  church  if  the  way  be  found  clear. 

On  27,  April,  1891,  at  a  congregational  meeting  of  the 
Second  church,  it  was  ordered  that  the  trustees  be  instruct- 
ed to  transfer  to  a  Third  Presbyterian  church,  when  organ- 
ized upon  the  North  Side,  their  interest  in  the  lot  and 
building  known  as  the  Chapel  property,  on  the  corner  of 
Mason  street  and  Stanton  avenue,  and  also  to  present  to 
them  the  property  on  North  Limestone  street  known  as  the 
Parsonage  property.  The  First  church  likewise  took  sim- 
ilar action  in  reference  to  her  interest  in  the  Chapel  prop- 
erty.    The  Sessions  of  both  the  First  and  Second  churches 


THIRD  CHURCH  111 

granted  letters  of  dismissal  to  all  members  of  their  re- 
spective churches  whose  names  appeared  upon  the  petition 
mentioned  before,  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  in  the  organi- 
zation of  a  Third  Presbyterian  church. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Dayton 
consisting  of  the  Rev.  George  H.  FuUerton,  D.  D.,  the  Rev. 
James  L.  Rodgers,  the  Rev.  Maurice  E.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  the 
Rev.  J.  K.  Gibson,  D.  D.,  and  Elders  Thomas  F.  McGrew, 
Cyrus  A.  Phelps  and  Cyrus  V.  Osborn,  met  at  the  Presby- 
terian chapel  on  Mason  street  on  11,  May,  1891,  to  con- 
sider the  application  heretofore  made  to  Presbytery  for  the 
establishment  of  a  Third  church.  After  having  considered 
the  question,  the  committee  were  unanimously  of  the  opinion 
that  the  petition  should  be  granted.  Thereupon,  at  eight 
o'clock  p.  m.  of  the  same  date,  a  meeting  was  held  for  the 
organization  of  the  church.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Fullerton  acted 
as  Moderator,  and  after  a  sermon  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson, 
and  other  appropriate  services  by  the  other  ministers 
present,  the  formal  organization  of  the  church  was  declared 
effected. 

The  election,  ordination  and  installation  of  three  elders 
and  five  deacons  immediately  followed,  and  thus  the  Third 
church  swung  into  line  in  the  ranks  of  the  Presbyterian 
corps  of  the  great  army  of  God. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  on,  17,  June,  1891, 
the  church  unanimously  resolved  to  extend  a  call  to  the 
Rev.  George  H.  Fullerton,  D.  D.,  who  had  resigned  the 
pastorate  of  the  Second  church  some  time  previously  on 
account  of  insufficient  health  for  the  arduous  duties  of 
that  church.  The  call  was  in  due  time  placed  in  his 
hands  and  accepted  and  was  installed  on,  25,  April,  1892. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1893,  the  church  felt 
impelled,  by  reason  of  increasing  numbers,  to  rise  and 
build,  and  the  present  beautiful  and  commodious  structure 


112  THIRD  CHURCH 

was  erected  on  the  corner  of  North  Limestone  street  and 
Stanton  avenue.  This  house  was  dedicated,  28,  January, 
1894,  the  occasion  being  a  union  service  of  the  three 
Presbyterian  churches,  participated  in  by  the  pastors  of 
the  churches  with  a  sermon  by  the  Rev.  Willis  G.  Craig, 
D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  of  McCormick  Theological  Seminary. 

Two  things  contributed  much  to  our  success  from  the 
beginning:— the  hearty  good-will  of  both  the  First  and 
Second  churches  toward  the  new  enterprise,  and  the 
material  assistance  rendered  us  in  gifts  of  property  and  of 
money.  We  went  out  from  our  former  church  homes  as 
a  bride  adorned  for  her  husband,  and  we  have  settled 
down  to  house-keeping  in  right  good  earnest. 

We  started  out  with  a  list  of  104  members.  Since 
our  organization  we  have  received  165  members.  We 
now  have  upon  our  roll  208  names,  just  double  the  number 
with  which  we  started.  We  have  never  enjoyed  what 
might  be  called  a  distinct  revival  of  religion  in  our  church, 
but  the  seed  has  been  diligently  and  persistently  sown, 
that  which  has  matured  has  been  gathered  in,  and  we 
stand  ready,  we  trust,  to  thrust  in  the  sickle  whenever 
God  in  His  good  pleasure,  gives  the  command,  and  reap  a 
more  abundant  harvest.  We  have  a  Sabbath-school  of 
more  than  300  members,  a  large  and  flourishing  Missionary 
Society  full  of  zealous  works;  a  Ladies'  Aid  Society  de- 
voted to  the  development  of  helpful  resources  for  the  pur- 
pose of  liquidating  our  indebtedness  and  other  material 
ends;  a  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor, 
small  in  size,  but  faithful  and  earnest  in  their  works;  and 
Boards  of  Trustees,  Deacons,  and  Elders,  who  are  trying  to 
serve  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  by  the  faithful  per- 
formance of  their  respective  duties.  Harmony  and  an 
entire  unanimity  of  thought  and  sentiment  has  ever  char- 
acterized our  work. 


PLATE  No.  7 


THIRD  CHURCH  113 

It  would  not  be  fitting  to  close  this  brief  paper  with- 
out an  expression  of  sentiment  toward  this  mother  church, 
in  whose  home  we  are  assembled  tonight.  The  two  chil- 
dren who  went  out  from  your  hearthstone  to  set  up 
homes  for  themselves  have  come  back  to  their  parent  roof- 
tree  tonight  to  offer  their  congratulations  upon  this  anni- 
versary of  your  natal  day.  We  bring  no  gift  in  our  hands, 
but  we  bring  hearts  warm  with  love  toward  you,  and 
prayers  tender  with  affection. 

May  it  be  said  of  you  and  of  all  the  churches  repre- 
sented here  tonight,  as  was  written  "  unto  the  angel  of  the 
church  of  Philadelphia:  "Because  thou  hast  kept  the 
word  of  my  patience,  I  also  will  keep  thee  from  the  hour  of 
temptation,  which  shall  come  upon  all  the  world,  to  try 
them  that  dwell  upon  the  earth.  Hold  them  fast  that 
which  thou  hast,  that  no  man  take  thy  crown." 

CLOSING  WORDS 

Words  of  congratulation  and  blessing  were  then 
spoken  by  representatives  of  other  churches,  among  whom 
were  the  Rev.  Chas.  F.  Steck,  of  the  Fourth  Lutheran 
church,  the  Rev.  W.  J.  Sly,  of  the  First  Baptist  church, 
the  Rev.  J.  A.  Story,  D.  D.,  of  High  Street  M.  E.  church, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Fullerton,  the  Rev.  E.  P.  Thompson,  and  the 
Rev.  A.  A.  Murphy  and  several  others. 


114  HISTORICAL  SUMMARY 


HISTORICAL  SUMMARY 

1815,  June  4,  First  record  of  Presbytery  referring  to  this 
church. 

1815,  June  22,  Mr.  Steele  ordained. 

1816,  Benevolences  first  reported  in  Gen.  Assembly  minutes. 

1817,  April  1,  Mr.  Steele  engaged  for  half  time. 

1818,  April  8,  Mr.  Steele  engaged  for  another  year. 

1819,  April  9,    Collection    reported     for     Commissioners 

Fund,  $3,93|. 
July  17,  Church  organized. 
1823,  June  14,  Mr.  Steele  closed  his  work. 

1827,  June  30,  Mr.  Putnam  became  pastor. 

1828,  March  21,  Mr.  Putnam  resigned. 
Dec.  12,  Mr.  Frazer  began  work. 

1829,  Feb.  11,  Church  incorporated. 

1830,  Feb.  27,  Mr.  Frazer  resigned   and  Mr.    Gray  began 

work. 
1830,  First  building  erected. 
1832,  Church  became  self-sustaining. 
1832,  Oct.  4,  Mr.  Galloway  ordained  and  installed. 
1850,  April  16,  Mr.  Galloway  resigned. 

Sept.  2,  Dr.  Bnrt  ordained  and  installed. 

1850,  Second  building  erected. 

1851,  March  24,  Act  of  corporation  ammended. 

1855,  June  19,  Dr.  Burt  resigned. 

1856,  Jan.  31,  Dr.  Findley  installed,  resigned,  20,  June,  1859. 

1860,  Dec.  4,  Second  church  organized. 

1861,  Feb.  7,  Dr.  Scovel  installed,  resigned,  1,  Jan.,  1866. 
1866,  Oct.  1,  Dr.  Thomas   Fullerton    called,    resigned,  13, 

Sept.,  1870. 


HISTORICAL  SUMMARY  115 

1868,   The  building  enlarged   and  improved,  pipe  organ 

bought. 
1871,  Oct.  21,  Dr.  Cain  installed,  resigned,  13,  Nov.,  1872. 
1873,  June  16,  Dr.  McKnight  called,  resigned,  16,  Dec,  1879. 
1876,  March  26,  Rotary  system  for  elders  adopted. 

1880,  Aug.  24,  Dr.  Falconer  called,  resigned,  13,  April,  1891. 

1881,  Oakland  S.  S.  established,  chapel  built. 
1887,  New  pipe  organ,  primary  room  built. 
1891,  Third  church  organized. 

1891,  July  29,  Mr.  Murphy  called,  resigned,  1,  July,  1894. 

1892,  Oakland  chapel  enlarged  and  improved. 
1895,  Jan.  9,  Dr.  Proudfit  called,  died,  2,  April,  1897. 
1895,  May  14,  Men's  League  organized. 

1898,  March  2,  Dr.  Hill  called. 

1S99,  Sept.  10,  The    auditorium    refurnished   with    new 
pews,  organ  lowered,  platform  enlarged,  etc. 
Sept.  17-25,  Octogenial  celebration. 


116 


FIRST  RECORD  OF  SESSION 


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FIRST  RECORD  OF  SESSION 


117 


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118 


I. 


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Ground  plan  of  the  edifice  built  about  1828, 
with  gallery  on  three  sides 


Front  elevation  of  same 
{From  drawings  by  R.  Q.  King) 


119 


^ ,      r- 


Front  elevation  of  edifice  built  in  1848 
{From  drawing  by  R.  Q.  King) 


THE  STATISTICS  121 


THE  STATISTICS 

The  methods  of  tabulating  the  statistics  have  been 
gradually  changed  from  the  beginning  of  the  century.  The 
names  of  some  objects  have  been  modified,  but  the  amounts 
contributed  in  early  years  have  been  classified  under  the 
names  that  are  in  vogue  today,  so  as  to  afl'ord  easy  com- 
parison. 

It  should  be  kept  in  mind  that  this  table  is  a  tran- 
script of  the  reports  sent  to  the  General  Assembly  by  the 
Session,  showing  the  work  of  the  church  for  the  twelve 
months  preceding  the  31  of  March  in  the  years  indicated 
and  its  condition,  at  that  date,  as  to  pastor,  etc.  The  re- 
ports for  1824-25  were  combined  in  one. 

Baptisms  marked  *  indicate  the  whole  number,  infants 
and  adults. 

There  was  no  report  made  for  the  year  1835,  so  that 
the  figures  given  had  to  be  estimated. 

The  drop  in  membership  in  1861  and  in  1891  was  oc- 
casioned by  the  organization  of  the  Second  and  Third 
Churches. 

The  figures  under  the  names  of  the  Boards  give  even 
dollars,  cents  are  always  omitted.  The  church,  as  a  rule, 
began  to  contribute  to  the  Boards  when  they  were  organ- 
ized and  then  every  year  loyally  "  filled  all  the  blanks," 
with  rare  exceptions,  which  may  be  accounted  for  iu 
some  cases  by  clerical  error. 

The  column  marked,  congregational,  gives  the  total 
expenditure  each  year  for  all  current  expenses,  including 
Sunday  Schools,  and  all  the  various  organizations  con- 
nected with  the  church,  as  well  as  all  expenditures  on  the 
building,  furnishings,  etc. 


122 


STATISTICS 


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124 


STATISTICS 


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INDEX 


125 


INDEX 

Explanation  :  The  following  abbreviations  are  used  : 
P.,  pastor;  S.,  stated  supply;  E.,  elder;  D.,  deacon;  T., 
trustee;  S.  S.,  Sunday  school  oflScer;  W.  S.,  officer  in  the 
Woman's  Societies;  C.  E.,  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  president. 

Where  there  is  a  portrait  it  is  indicated  in  parentheses, 
the  first  figure  giving  the  number  of  the  plate,  the  second 
being  the  number  of  the  portrait,  No.  1  being  the  first  of 
the  top  line,  No.  5  of  the  second. 

Other  figures  indicate  pages. 

The  indications  as  to  office,  etc.,  are,  for  obvious 
reasons,  not  complete,  the  principal  office  held,  is,  as  a  rule, 
the  only  one  noted  in  this  index,  except  in  recent  years. 


Babb,  Mrs.  A.  B.  (7:23)  C.  E. 
Bagley,  Mrs.  C.  C.  (5:8;  W.  S. 
Baker,  Melyn,  E.,  93. 
Ballentine,  Arthur  (7:21)  C.  B. 
Ballentlne,  Gertrude  (7:22)  C.  E. 
Barrett,Edwin  L.  (3:12)  E.,  D.,  T.  98. 
Barrett,  Mrs.  Edwin  L.  (6:9). 
Barrett,  Edward  L.  (4:1)  E.,  S.  S. 

paper  87. 
Barrett,  Fred.  (7:6)  S.  8. 
Beach,  Mrs.  (5:19)  W.  8. 
Bliss,  T.  F.  (3:19)  E.  paper  51. 
Black,  Andrew  C,  T.  101. 
Brain,  Belle  M.  (7:4)  W.  8  ,  C.  E. 
Brain,  Mrs.  Geo.  H.  (7:20)  C.  B., 

paper  81. 
Brain,  George,  89. 
Brain,  Geo.  H.  (7:19)  C.  E. 
Brown,  Stephen  (1:1)  B. 
Buckingham,  E.  M.  (3:3)  E. 
Burt,  Rev.  N.  C.  (1 :6)  (2:2)  P.  18,  43. 
Burt,  Mrs.  R.  A.  (5:11)  W.  8. 
Buxton,  J.  C,  T.  100. 
Cain,  Rev.  G.  F.  (2:6)  P.  20,46. 


Chinese  8unday  8chooI  70. 

Christie,  Mrs.  E.  P.  (5:12)  W.  8. 

Christie,  James  8.  (1:3)  E.,  94. 

Christie,  Jessie  (1:5)  B.,  96. 

Choir,  18,  78. 

Clark,  Samuel  (7:8)  Treas. 

Conversazione,  Missionary,  37,  82. 

Cooper,  David  (7:7)  8.  S. 

Cory,  C.  C.  (4:10)  D.,  8.  8.,  paper  86 

Corry,  L.  B.  (4:16)  T. 

Cobaugh,  A.  R.  (3:10)  E.,  paper  4.3. 

Crane,  Mrs.  M.  8.  (5:16)  W.  8. 

Crothers,  Rev.  8.  M.  23. 

Crowell,  Mrs.  J.  8.  (6:7)  W.  8. 

Crowell,  J.  8.   (4:3)    E.,    8.  8.    24, 

paper  65. 
Cumback,  Mrs.  H.  H.  (6:4)  W  8. 
Cumback,    H.    H.    (3:14)     E.     68, 

paper  93. 
Cushing,  Matthew  (3:13)  B.,  8  S. 
Deacons,  99, 100. 
Driscoll,  G.  W.  (4:15)  T. 
Driscoll,  Jas.  (4:14)  T. 
Driscoll,  Mrs.  M.  (5:9)  W.  8. 


128 


INDEX 


Doty,  E.  M.(l:4^  E. 
Downey,  Mrs.  W.  C.  61. 
Dunlap,  Jessie  (5:20)  W.  S.  64,  82. 
Dunlap,  Mary  S.  (6:13)  W.  8.,  C  E. 
Dunlap,  Shepherd  (7:17)  E,  98. 
Dunlap,  Alexander,  D.  99. 
Edgar,  Dr.  8.  F.  (7:14)  8.  8. 
Elders,  The,  93,  98. 
Espy,  J.  B.  (4:9)  D. 
Falconer,  Rev.  W.  C.  (2:8)  P.  21,  47. 
Falconer,  Mrs.  E.  (6:5)  W.  8. 
Findlay,  Rev.  Wm.  T.  (2 :3)  P.  19, 44. 
Frankenberg,  Mrs.   G.    O.  C.   ad- 
dress 73. 
Frazer,  Rev.  W.  J.,  S.  11,  40. 
Fried,  Mrs.  C.C.  (6:8)  W.  8. 
Fried,  C  C  (4:17)  T. 
Fullerton,  Rev.  A.  T.  (2:5)  P.,  19,  25. 
FuUerton,  Mrs.  Thos.  (6:10)  W.  8. 
Galloway,  Rev.  J.  8.  (2:1)  P.  13,  42. 
Gray,  Rev.  Wm  ,  8. 13,  40. 
Gray,  W.  P.  (3:5)  E. 
Hall,  Geo.  C.  (7:12)8.8.69. 
Holloway,  Mrs.  B.  (5:5)  W.  8. 
Holloway,  Benj.  (7:11)  8.  8. 
Harford,  John  (4:12)  23. 
Hill,  Rev.  J.  C.  (2:11)  P.  22. 
Historical  Summary  114. 
Hooper,  Rev.  W.  A  23. 
Huffman,  Mrs.  W.  8.  (6:20)  W.  8. 
Humphreys,  Mrs.  J.  A.  (6:14)  W.  8. 
Humphreys,  J.  A.  (4:11)  D. 
Humphreys,  John  (3:1)  E.  93. 
Hunt,  Mrs.  R.  (6:11)  W.  8. 
Jarrett,  J.  W.  (7:13)  D.  99. 
Johnson,  J.  R.,  D.  99, 
King,  Mrs.  A.  C.  (5:2)  8.  8.,  W.  8. 
King,  David,  8r.,  (4:7)  T.  100. 
King,  David  (3:9)  E,  D. 
King,  Mrs.  David  (6:6)  W.  8. 
King,  Mrs.  N.C.a:2)C.E. 
King,  N.  C.  (7:18)C.  E.,8.  8. 
King,  Jennie  (6:12)  W  8. 
King,  R.  Q.  (7:9)  T. 
King,  Mrs.  R  Q.  (5:14)  W.  8. 
King,  Dr.  Thos.  D.  (7:5)  C.  E, 
Lasley.  Ella  M.  (6:18)  W.  8. 
Lee,  Dr.  Wm.  R.  (7:15)  C.  E- 
Lemon,  Jonathan  (1:8)  E.,  94. 


McBeth,  Thos.  ^3:20)  E. 

McCoy,  A  8.  (4:8)  D.  99. 

McGaw,  Rev.  J.  A.  P.  (4:6)  8.  23. 

McGrew,  T.  F.  (3:17)  E,  8.  S., 
paper  39. 

McGrew,  Mrs.T.  F  (6:1)  W.  8.  59. 

McKnight,  Rev.  W.J  (2:7)  P.  20, 2G. 

McKnlght,  Mrs.  Susan,  (5:4)  W.  8. 

McMeen,  Rev.  W.  H.  23. 

McNally,  Mrs.  I.  F.  (7:3)  W.  8. 

Martin,  Paul  C  paper  102. 

Mason,  Gen.  Sampson  (1:2)  E.,  96. 

Men's  League,  85. 

Mllllgan,  M.  L.  (4:20)  E.  T. 

Milllgan,  Mrs.  M.  L.  (5:18)  W.  8. 

Mulholland,  J.  H.  (3:16)  E.  67. 

Murphy,  J.  W.  (4:18)  T. 

Murray,  Rev.  Dean,  J.  O.,  23. 

Murphy,  Rev.  A.  A.  (2:9)  P.  21,  ad- 
dress 35. 

Muzzy,  J.  8.  (7 :10)  T.  100. 

Munson,  Mrs.  (5:6)  W.  8. 

Oakland  Chapel  87. 

Officers,  The,  93. 

Paige,  Rev.  J.  A.  23. 

Pews,  17. 

Primary  Department,  70. 

Proudfit,  Rev.  A.  (2:10)  P.  21,  51. 

Proudflt,  Mrs.  A.  (5:15)  W.  8. 

Plummer,  Mrs.  J.  L.  (6:15)  W.  8. 

Poage,  Rev.  A.  W.  10,  40. 

Putnam,  Rev.  F.,  P.  10,  40. 

Raffensberger,  Rev.  E.  B.  28. 

Reid,  E.  Jennie  (7:1)  W.  8. 

Rice,  Mrs  J.  T.  (6:16)  W.  8. 

Rice,  J.  T.  (4:4)  E  ,  D.,  8.  8.,  Treas. 

Rodgers,  Rev.  Jas.  L.  (4:5)  8.  22. 

Rodgers,  Dr.  Robt.  (3:4   D.  T.  99. 

Scovel,  Mrs.  Hannah  5:3)  W  8. 

Scovel,  Rev.  8.  F.  (2:4)  P.  19,  ad- 
dress 28. 

Scovel,  Mrs.  8.  F.  (5:7)  W.S. 

Second  Church,  102. 

Secretaries  of  Trustees,  101. 

Shaffer,  Mina  (6:10)  W.  8. 

Spence,  Mrs.  E.  J.  (6:17)  W.  8. 

Spencer,  Josiah,  E.,  94. 

Spencer,  Wolcot,  E.,  65. 

Spinning,  Chas.,  E.,  94. 


I}^DEX 


127 


Starrett  Lavinia  (6:19)  W.  S. 

Statistics,  117. 

Steele,  Rev.  A.,  S.  10. 

Steele,  Mrs.  A.  (5:13)  W.  8. 

Steele,  Geo.,  D.  99. 

Taylor,  Rev.  A.  A.,  E.,  23. 

Todd,  8.  A.  (4:13)  D.  99. 

Third  Church,  107. 

Thomas,  Mrs  J.  H.  (6:2)  W.  8.  69. 

Thomas,  J.  H.  (3:11)  E.  T. 

Thomas  W.  8.  (4:19)  T.,  paper  47. 

Thompson,  R.  8.  (3:8)  E. 

Thompson,  Thos.,  E.,94. 

Treasurers,  100. 

Trustees,  100. 

Ulrich  John  (3:6)  E.  96. 


Ward,  Isaac  (1:7)  E.,  96. 

Ward,  Mary,  nee  Rodgers  (5:1)  8.8. 

Weaver,  J.  8.,  paper  107. 

Weir,  Wm.  H.  (4:2)  E.,  8. 8.,  paper  7. 

Wertz,  J.  B.  (3:2)  E. 

Wertz,  Mrs.  J.  B.  (5:17)  W.  8. 

Whltty,  Wm.  (3:15)  E,  6S. 

Wilson,  8.  W.  (3:13)  E 

Wilson,  Rev.  G.  L.  23. 

Wilson,  F.  N.  86. 

Winger,    Mrs.    Am    (6:3)    W.    8., 

paper  55. 
Wing,  Lu  (7:16)  (Chinese  8. 8.) 
Wiseman,  John  (3:7)  E.  98. 
Woman's  Work,  55. 
Young  People's)  Work,  Si. 


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1    1012  01217  21 


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